Ronald Reagan

“Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

Ronald Reagan · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22

Ronald Reagan famously posed a question to voters during the 1980 presidential debate with Jimmy Carter.

“Well, you know, we can lecture our children about extravagance until we run out of voice and breath. Or we can cure their extravagance by simply reducing their allowance.”

Ronald Reagan · said 1981-02-05 · reported 2026-08-20

Reagan used this analogy about reducing government's 'allowance' in his 1981 address.

“we’re in the worst economic mess since the Great Depression”

Ronald Reagan · said 1981-02-05 · reported 2026-08-20

Reagan made this remark in his address to the nation two weeks after taking office, describing the state of the economy.

“There were always those who told us that taxes couldn’t be cut until spending was reduced,”

Ronald Reagan · said 1981-02-05 · reported 2026-08-20

Part of Reagan's 1981 address arguing for tax cuts before spending reductions.