Farewell Address to the Nation
In his farewell address delivered from the Oval Office at the close of his second term, President Ronald Reagan reflected on his presidency, highlighting what he saw as his two “greatest triumphs.” These were the American economic recovery over the 1980s and the recovery of American morale following the Vietnam War. President Reagan acknowledged the increased budget deficits, expressing regret, but asserted that overall, his presidency was about restoring America to her role as a “shining city on a hill” —a theme throughout his time in office. “We made the city stronger. We made the city freer. And we left her in good hands,” he said.
"Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people's tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before."
