For those that haven’t yet voted, perhaps, the words of two of America’s greatest presidents might help you in your decision. Since the state of our economy is the # 1 issue in this election, here, now, in their own words, are John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan who note that Capitalism, not Socialism, is what makes America great.

[References to their full quotes appear below.]

JFK (1963)[1]: “America’s rise to world leadership in the century since the Civil War has reflected more than anything else our unprecedented economic growth…It demonstrated for all to see the power of freedom and the efficiency of free institutions….

“The final and best means of strengthening demand among consumers and business is to reduce the burden on private income and the deterrents to private initiative which are imposed by our present tax system — and this administration pledged itself last summer to an across-the-board, top-to-bottom cut in personal and corporate income taxes to be enacted and become effective in 1963.”

Reagan (1964)[2]: “I’ve spent most of my life as a Democrat. I recently have seen fit to follow another course. I believe that the issues confronting us cross party lines…

“This is the issue of this election…Now it doesn’t require expropriation or confiscation of private property or business to impose socialism on a people. What does it mean whether you hold the deed to, or the title to your business or property if the government holds the power of life and death over that business or property? And such machinery already exists.

“The government can find some charge to bring against any concern it chooses to prosecute. Every businessman has his own tale of harassment. Somewhere a perversion has taken place. Our natural, unalienable rights are now considered to be a dispensation of government, and freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping from our grasp as it is at this moment…

“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. So government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth…”

[1] https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkeconomicclubaddress.html

[2] https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/reagans/ronald-reagan/time-choosing-speech-october-27-1964