Audiobooks narrated by Ronald Reagan

State of the Union 1987

"The 1987 State of the Union Address delivered January 27, 1987, in the 200th anniversary year of the U.S. Constitution, notes dramatic improvements in the inflation rate, interest rates, housing starts, and the unemployment rate. Reagan regrets the Iran-Contra controversy and promises to get to the bottom of it and take whatever action is called for. Though the Soviets transferred $75 billion in weapons to client-states like Syria, Vietnam, Cuba, Libya, Angola, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Nicaragua, the Congress cut administration requests for security assistance and defense. There “is no surer way to lose freedom than to lose our resolve.” As President Truman said: “International communism seeks to crush and undermine and destroy the independence of the Americas. We cannot let that happen here.” Our Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI, “is the most positive and promising defense program we have undertaken. It's the path, for both sides, to a safer future -- a system that defends human life instead of threatening it.” We support free trade and “expanding peaceful commerce across the world.” We remain opposed as ever to protectionism…” The “federal deficit is outrageous.” We need “a constitutional amendment that mandates a balanced budget”. We need “a line-item veto so we can carve out the boondoggles and pork…” “We have deficits because big government spends too much.” The U.S. Constitution “grew out of the most fundamental inspiration of our existence: that we are here to serve Him by living free -- that living free releases in us the noblest of impulses and the best of our abilities; that we would use these gifts for good and generous purposes and would secure them not just for ourselves and for our children but for all mankind.” Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

State of the Union 1988

"The 1988 State of the Union Address delivered January 25, 1988, extols individual rights, the free market, and the value of work, family, and religion, resulting in “the longest peacetime expansion in history”. Reagan stresses unity and common goals, saying there are no Republicans, no Democrats -- just Americans. “We’re for limited government…”, free trade, a balanced budget, and the line-item veto. “[C]ontrol of our schools belongs to the States, local communities and, most of all, to the parents and teachers.” “My friends, some years ago, the Federal Government declared war on poverty, and poverty won.” Our 59 major poverty programs have created a dependency trap that wreaks havoc on the family, the support system most needed to escape poverty. We support a drug-free America, an end to federal funding of abortion, and “believe Congress should pass our school prayer amendment.” “A creative, competitive America is the answer to a changing world, not trade wars that would close doors, create greater barriers, and destroy millions of jobs. … Protectionism is destructionism. America's jobs, America's growth, America's future depend on trade -- trade that is free, open, and fair.” “We must … make adequate, stable defense spending a top goal both this year and in the future.” Our “efforts are to give future generations what we never had -- a future free of nuclear terror. Reduction of strategic offensive arms is one step, SDI another. Our funding request for our Strategic Defense Initiative is less than 2 percent of the total defense budget. SDI funding is money wisely appropriated and money well spent.” We thank God for “this place called America, this shining city on a hill, this government of, by, and for the people. Thank you, and God bless you.” Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

First Inaugural Address

"On January 20, 1981, Reagan began his first presidential inauguration address by thanking Carter for his “gracious cooperation in the transition process”. Reagan notes “one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history. It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike.” “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” “For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present.” “It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people.” “If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before.” “It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden.” “As for the enemies of freedom, … [w]e will maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so we have the best chance of never having to use that strength.” “[T]ogether with God's help we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. And after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans. God bless you, and thank you. aspenleafmedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Second Inaugural Address

"Because of extreme cold weather, Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the official oath of office in the White House on January 20, 1985. A public administration of the oath of office and the inaugural address were delayed until January 21, 1985, in the Capitol Rotunda. On the 50th inauguration since George Washington’s, Reagan marvels at America’s growth and inventions, including journeying to the moon and back. “There are no limits to growth and human progress when men and women are free to follow their dreams.” Our values of faith, family, work, and neighborhood were restored “when our economy was finally freed from government’s grip”. America supports 'individual liberty, self-government, and free enterprise throughout the world…” We deal best with great challenges when we come “together not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans united in a common cause.” “We must never again abuse the trust of working men and women by sending their earnings on a futile chase after the spiraling demands of a bloated Federal Establishment.” “Freedom and incentives unleash the drive and entrepreneurial genius that are the core of human progress.” “We must act now to protect future generations from government's desire to spend its citizens' money and tax them into servitude when the bills come due.” Though “our heritage is one of blood lines from every corner of the Earth, we are all Americans, pledged to carry on this last, best hope of man on Earth.” Rather than relying on mutual assured destruction, we need “a security shield that will destroy nuclear missiles before they reach their target” and “render nuclear weapons obsolete.” We are “one people under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom that He has placed in the human heart, called upon now to pass that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world.” Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Economic Recovery Program

"On February 18, 1981, Reagan laid out his economic recovery program before a Joint Session of Congress. Reagan had previously outlined his recovery program in an Oval Office address on February 5, 1981, in which he displayed a dollar bill and 36 cents to show how inflation had reduced the value of a dollar since 1960. Reagan made a further plea for enactment of his recovery program on April 28, 1981, following the assassination attempt on his life. Many economists credit this recovery program for reducing the inflation rate and igniting one of the longest and most robust economic expansions in U.S. history. Reagan paints a grim picture of inflation, the national debt, and lagging productivity plaguing the economy. $41.4 billion of reduced spending is proposed with no reduction for “the poverty stricken, the disabled, the elderly, [and] all those with true need”. Subsidies of the synthetic fuel program, the Export-Import Bank, and the Economic Development Administration are targeted. Block grants to states are proposed, along with changes to Medicaid, the space program, the Postal Service, and the Department of Energy. To counter the Soviet Union’s military build-up, defense is the one department with an increased budget. A 10-percent tax cut for individual taxpayers is proposed for each of the next 3 years, along with increased depreciation allowances to allow business the capital needed to modernize. We “must come to grips with inefficient and burdensome regulations, eliminate those we can and reform the others.” To reduce inflation and interest rates, we need to slow the growth of our money supply. This is our proposal for America’s new beginning. “I'm here tonight to ask you to join me in making it our plan.” Government “must not be used to regulate the economy or bring about social change.” Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

1984 Nomination Acceptance Address

"On August 23, 1984, at the Dallas Convention Center, Reagan accepts the presidential nomination of the Republican party. Reagan reminds Democrats of the high inflation and interest rates when he took office in 1980 and claims Democrats “never met a tax they didn't like or hike.” In 1981 “we started a policy of tightening the Federal budget instead of the family budget.” Reagan cites an improved “misery index” (the total of the inflation and unemployment rates) and improved poverty levels. “In the 4 years before we took office, country after country fell under the Soviet yoke. Since January 20th, 1981, not 1 inch of soil has fallen to the Communists.” (long applause) America is “more confident than ever” with “the strongest economic growth” and “the fastest rate of job creation”. We support NATO, Israel, and free Latin American States that “struggle to prevent Communist takeovers fueled massively by the Soviet Union and Cuba.” We rescued “American students on the imprisoned island of Grenada.” We oppose deficits, and support a balanced budget amendment, the line-item veto, tuition tax credits, enterprise zones, and lower taxes. There is no room for anti-Semitism or bigotry in the party of Lincoln. With America at peace, “we’re in the midst of a springtime of hope” and see America as “a shining city on a hill.” We look forward to “the Olympic Games here in the United States” and marvel “at the journey of the Olympic torch” across our country. Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Moscow State University Address

"On May 31, 1988, at the request of General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, and standing below a bust of Lenin, Reagan spoke to and answered questions from a large audience of students and teachers at Moscow State University. Reagan says “I wish you success” in Russian to the students on their upcoming exams. Reagan brings “a message of peace and good will and hope for a growing friendship and closeness between our two peoples.” An information revolution is sweeping the globe that will transform our lives with robots, genetic coding, spacecraft, and other technologies. The key to progress is economic freedom. Entrepreneurs with the courage to take risks “are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.” The Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, India, and China are seeing the power of economic freedom. Freedom “is the continuing revolution of the marketplace.” Nations “must renounce, once and for all, the right to an expansionist foreign policy.” “People do not make wars; governments do.” “Americans seek always to make friends of old antagonists”, for example, Britain, Germany, and Japan. Nothing would please me more than to see “a growing, exuberant, exporting Soviet Union that had opened up to economic freedom”. In this Moscow spring of May 1988, we hope for a new world of reconciliation, freedom, and peace. Following the speech, Reagan fields questions from the audience on a variety of topics: the START ballistic missile treaty, how young people have changed since he was a student, conflicts in Namibia and Nicaragua, the return of missing Soviet soldiers from Afghanistan, what’s unique about the U.S. Constitution, Reagan’s speaking plan on the mashed-potato circuit after retiring, American Indians, and Soviet dissidents. Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

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. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Farewell Address Oval Office

"On January 11, 1989, Reagan gave the following farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office. The two things I’m proudest of are the economic recovery which created 19 million new jobs and that America is respected again in the world. In 1980 pundits said our economic policies would cause inflation and collapse while our foreign policies would lead to war. Instead, tax cuts created “the longest peacetime expansion in our history” and “an explosion in research and new technology.” We knocked “down protectionist walls abroad instead of erecting them at home.” We rebuilt our defenses and saw a new peacefulness around the globe. “Countries across the globe are turning to free markets and free speech and turning away from the ideologies of the past.” I went into politics to protect something precious. “Our Constitution is a document in which ‘We the People’ tell the government what it is allowed to do. In the 1960s the government was taking our freedom with rules and regulations and confiscatory taxes. People are “not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.” Are “we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?” “America is freedom -- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rare.” Let’s start with more attention to American history. I see America as a “shining city upon a hill” teeming with all kinds of people living in harmony, with ports humming with commerce, with doors open to anyone with the will to get here, a beacon and magnet for all who must have freedom. Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Socialized Medicine

"In 1961 Reagan spoke out against socialized medicine. Since 1965 when Medicare and Medicaid were enacted, the federal government controls payment for most U.S. healthcare: hospitals, drugs, doctors, nurses, and so on. Has this been a blessing or a curse? Milton Friedman, the small, talkative, smiling genius, perhaps the best economist ever, argued that governments should give the deserving needy money to buy education, housing, and healthcare, but should never give goods or services such as govenment schools, government housing, or medical services. Would this small change make a big difference? Prior to 1965, U.S. health insurance was medically underwritten. When a person applied for insurance, they were weighed and tested to see how healthy they were. If they were unhealthy, premiums were high, and coverage limited. The result was that people had powerful financial incentives to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle. Under Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare, medical underwriting is illegal and the financial incentive for a healthy diet is eliminated. Epidemics of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic disease since 1965 are the result. And the cost of medical services without market competition has exploded. If the elderly and needy were paid in cash rather than medical services, and purchased medical services in competitive, risk-based markets, people would have strong incentive to adopt fiber-based diets of vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and avoid animal foods and low-fiber processed foods that promote chronic disease. The left blames the food industry for our poor diet, but the federal government’s control of medical services and abolition of medical underwriting are the true causes of the obesity and diabetes crisis that afflicts America, and the reason healthcare is so amazingly expensive. Competitive markets would benefit the elderly, the needy, and the country. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Preventing Nuclear Annihilation: Addresses by Ronald Reagan for the Strategic Defense Initiative

"On March 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan gave an address to the nation from the Oval Office challenging “the scientific community … to turn their great talents … to the cause of mankind and world peace, [and] to give us the means of rendering … nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete.” Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative to protect America from nuclear annihilation was derided by critics as an unworkable Star Wars program, and the Clinton Administration ended the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1993. There is no effective system in place today to protect the American population from incoming missiles from an expanding list of countries with nuclear capabilities. On April 13, 2024, Iran launched, according to Wikipedia, “around 170 drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and more than 120 ballistic missiles toward Israel”. Israel and a coalition of partners, again according to Wikipedia, “destroyed 99 percent of the incoming weapons, most before they reached Israeli airspace.” Damage from the attack was minor. While Israel is protected by an Iron Dome, the United States has no such protection. This audiobook includes 4 speeches by President Reagan: His address introducing the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983, his address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France in 1985, his address on national security in 1986, and his address on the Soviet-U.S. Summit in 1987. aspenleafmedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Time for Choosing

"Ronald Reagan hosted the General Electric Theater TV series which ran from 1953 to 1962. During this time Reagan visited GE’s 135 plants across the country and spoke to audiences of GE’s 250,000 employees. Reagan’s speech focused on the growing power of federal, state, and local governments and the dangers this posed to free market competition and to American liberty. Over the years Reagan continually refined and improved what came to be known as “The Speech”. Reagan was asked to record a version of his speech to be used to support the presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater during the 1964 presidential campaign. The speech, entitled “A Time for Choosing”, was presented to a national television audience on October 27, 1964, as part of a program titled Rendezvous with Destiny. David Broder of the Washington Post said the speech was 'the most successful national political debut since William Jennings Bryan electrified the 1896 Democratic Convention with his 'Cross of Gold' speech.' Following the speech, Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966. This speech launched Reagan’s career on the national stage and contributed to his reputation as “the Great Communicator”. Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. AspenLeafMedia.com"

Ronald Reagan (Author), Ronald Reagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Ronald Reagan