Look to Coolidge for good sense

The wisdom of “Silent Cal:”

Ÿ “The people cannot look to legislation generally for success. Industry, thrift, character, are not conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve from toil. It can provide no substitute for the rewards of service. It can, of course, care for the defective and recognize distinguished merit. The normal must care for themselves. Self-government means self-support.

Ÿ “Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.”

Ÿ “There is nothing quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means.”

President Calvin Coolidge earned his reputation for being a good listener and a man of few words. His performance as a president who balanced budgets, reduced the national debt, adhered to the Constitution and relied on his philosophy and principles has caused his legacy to be appreciated more and more as the years have gone by. It is also no surprise that Coolidge was greatly admired by Ronald Reagan.

One can only wonder how Coolidge would have handled the recent issues faced by our great nation; but, it seems certain that the country would not be in the bad shape it is today if Coolidge’s principles and philosophy could have been substituted for those of President Obama.

Kelley C. Smith

Long Grove