Jon Kyl, July 7, 2008

On Independence Day, we were reminded of the principles upon which this country was built and the American spirit that has endured from 1776 to today.

Of course, our first principles are no less important on any other day, but they are often treated that way, as our busy daily lives leave little time for thinking about such matters. Accordingly, it’s often worthwhile to remind ourselves -- on days other than July 4 -- about this special nation and its special people. A good way to do so is to look back on our nation’s history and the words and deeds of its great leaders.

The leaders of the country’s past have a lot to teach us. While events and circumstances change, some things remain constant. Great leaders have a keen perception of human nature, and so their observations about events of their time are often insights that are relevant to challenges of the present.

One president of the not-so-distant past has much to teach us about the challenges we face today, particularly the threats to our freedom, whether from terrorists or hostile and antagonistic regimes.

President Ronald Reagan knew that this country occupied a unique place in the world because of its first principles: "Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth," he said. He also knew that these principles could evoke violent opposition from those who did not share them.

From those enemies of freedom, President Reagan vigorously defended first principles. "Freedom is one of the deepest and noblest aspirations of the human spirit," he said. "America must remain freedom’s staunchest friend, for our freedom is our best ally and it is the world’s only hope to conquer poverty and preserve peace."

President Reagan called peace "the highest aspiration of the American people" and he knew that for peace to prevail, freedom had to win out. Most importantly, he knew how peace is best won and preserved.

President Reagan believed that peace is preserved through strength; in order to keep the peace, the United States must keep its defenses strong. That theme bookended his tenure in office: in his first inaugural address, he said, "We will maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need to, knowing that if we do so we have the best chance of never having to use that strength."

"Common sense told us that to preserve the peace, we’d have to become strong," he told the nation shortly before the conclusion of his presidency.

This policy of peace through strength helped defeat our foremost enemy at the time -- the Soviet Union -- and it is the policy we must continue to pursue as we meet new threats.

President Reagan has words to gird us as we face the current threat from terrorists, or a future threat not yet known to us. "In this blessed land," he said, "there is always a better tomorrow." That optimism should guide us, and remind us that as long as we hold true to this country’s first principles we can prevail no matter the challenges.

Senator Jon Kyl, a Republican, represents Arizona in the U.S. Senate. He serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.