Funny Ronald Reagan Quotes

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Updated February 14, 2017
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Everyone in the public eye, especially presidents, say things from time to time that are funny, whether they were intentional or not. Ronald Reagan was famous for many things, including his humor.

Ronald Reagan on Politics and Life

Some things that Ronald Reagan said show his sense of humor,

like when he was asked how can an actor be president, he replied, “How can a president not be an actor?"

Some sayings show his indomitable spirit,

like after the assassination attempt he said to his wife, “Honey, I forgot to duck."

The following funny Ronald Reagan quotes are sorted into two groups, one political with the other containing humerous quotes from other aspects of his life.

Political

  • I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.
  • I hope you're all Republicans. (This was spoken to the surgeons in the operating room after the assassination attempt.)
  • Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.
  • We are trying to get unemployment to go up, and I think we're going to succeed.
  • Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.
  • I'm afraid I can't use a mule. I have several hundred up on Capitol Hill. (He said this when declining a gift of a mule.)
  • Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, you coast for awhile, you have a hell of a closing.
  • I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress.
  • Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.

Miscellaneous

  • It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?
  • You can tell a lot about a fella's character by whether he picks out all of one color or just grabs a handful. (This was an explanation of the jar of jelly beans he put out for meetings.)
  • One picture is worth 1,000 denials.
  • I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon.
  • Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911. He went to Eureka College and afterwards, worked as a sports announcer on the radio. He acting career started with a screen test in 1937. During his lifetime, he appeared in 53 films.

The Screen Actors Guild elected him president two separate times, in 1947 and 1959, and soon after that, he got involved in politics. He served as governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination twice, in 1968 and 1976, and was defeated. He tried again in 1980, winning the nomination and the presidency.

As president from 1981 to 1989, he initiated economic reforms which were called "Reaganomics." These reforms cut government spending and taxes, and helped the economy to grow. Also, jobs were created and the nation’s defenses were improved.

While he was in office income taxes were revised, which meant millions of poor people were exempt from paying taxes. During his second term, defense spending was increased because he felt that peace comes through strength. He also declared war on international terrorism, sending troops and bombers wherever necessary, like Libya and the Persian Gulf.

His term ended in 1989 and he left with the highest popularity of any president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and died at the age of 93 in his home in Bel Air, California on June 5, 2004.

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