Farewell Address Republican National Convention

On August 15, 1988, in the Louisiana Superdome, Reagan delivered a message for economic freedom. We transformed our government from one that was consuming our prosperity into one that would get out of the way of those who create prosperity.

Reagan notes the “inflated rhetoric of our friends in Atlanta last month. But then, inflation is their specialty.” As John Adams said, “Facts are stubborn things.”

When we came to Washington, we suffered the worst back-to-back years of inflation in 60 years, interest rates over 21 percent, declining productivity, weekly wages, and family income, the highest tax bill in history, and a 21 percent misery index.

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Iran stormed our embassy and took Americans hostage. The world questioned our resolve.

We responded by cutting taxes and creating over 17 million jobs. Inflation is below 4 percent and interest rates cut in half. “I noticed they don’t call it Reaganomics anymore.”

We rebuilt our armed forces, and liberated Grenada. During our administration “not 1 inch of ground has fallen to the Communists.” We're working on the Strategic Defense Initiative to protect ourselves and our allies against nuclear terror.

Liberal elites resisted our defense buildup, our tax cuts, cutting fat out of government, and appointing judges committed to the Constitution. I’ve supported a balanced budget amendment and line-item veto, and every year the liberals said no.

We need Republican majorities in both houses. America needs George Bush. “Go out there and win one for the Gipper.”

God put this land between two great oceans to be found by people with a love of freedom, freedom of association, of worship, of hope and opportunity. Here, it’s sunrise every day with new opportunities and dreams to build.

Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

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