Editing 78-12-B1 (section)

=== Transcript ===
I know that I do a lot of criticizing on these commentaries,
pointing to things that need correcting, but please believe me I'm
an optimist. I truly believe the people of this country will
justify the faith the Founding Fathers had when they said that the
people, themselves, were the best custodian of freedom and their
own security.

An old friend from college days regularly sends me the magazine
he publishes. It is called Sunshine - Ultra-sophisticates might
think it corny. I find it is just what it's name implies, and it's
good for the soul.

There was a short article in the August issue which refurbished
my optimism. I thought you might like to hear it -- it ' s about the
Average Man. Sunshine magazine says, "The progress and prosperity
of the free world is based upon the basic decency of the average man."

It goes on to say: "This average man is a fellow who respects
himself . If he buys something he will pay for it. He expects to work
for the money he needs . He wants a home and he is willing to accept
the responsibility for the care of his children. He is a temperate
person in every sense of the word. He wants to use the good things
in life. He doesn't want the headaches that come from abuse. He is
a law observer with common sense, enough to know that you have to
have law enforcement for a few. He knows that freedom is rooted in
self discipline, that rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.

"The free world has its problems, for freedom is not Utopia. It
has individuals who are misfits, who do not measure up to the average
man. It has the individual who scoffs at law observance, who has to
be held in check by law enforcement. It has those who confuse anarchy
with freedom , and privileges with rights, who think law and order is
oppression. And these people get more than their share of the news
media's attention.

"But all the time the good, decent, law abiding average man is
going about his job of earning a living, supporting his country,
contributing to worthy programs to help the less fortunate, and
participating in the religious life of his community . He is the
back bone of the free world. He is the one who is doing the plain,
everyday , seldom spectacular things that are slowly making this a
better world for everyone.

"Sometimes he wonders if those in public office have any interest
in his right to use the street in peace and safety. He wonders if
they are concerned with his right to be secure from violence in his own
home. He wonders if working for what you need, saving for what you
want , and living for what you believe is right is out of date.

"But even as he wonders, he keeps on doing his job and keeping
faith in what he knows in his heart is best."

That's the average man. Some do-gooders demean him by assigning
him to something called "the masses", or even worse, "the little people" .
And sometimes he's called, "the common man". Well, he is very uncommon
and he'll probably wind up saving those do - gooders in spite of
themselves.

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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