State of the Union 1988

Summary

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.

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