Reagan's Words of Wisdom

As I continue Reagan Week here on The Second Chance Sheepdog, I thought I'd share some of President Reagan's most memorable quotes and one-liners. I received these via e-mail from a friend some time ago and have held onto them. This week seems like the perfect time to share. Plus, when you take a moment and think about these, you realize that there really was a lot of wisdom in many of the things he said. I hope everyone enjoys them. If you think of some others not included here, please leave a comment including them and I'll post them for everyone to enjoy.

Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S.  was too strong.

I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.

The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.

Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. 

The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession.. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.

No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

Heart transplant at 5, playing hockey and soccer at 10

Isaac Schoenhais lived the first five years of his life with only half a heart suffering from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He could only manage a few steps before being tired, had to be helped up stairs, and could only sit and watch while other kids played. It was no way for a young boy to live. He underwent numerous surgeries in an attempt to help his condition, but both his parents and his doctor's knew that eventually he would have to have a heart transplant in order to live any longer. That day came five years ago.

Isaac was placed on the waiting list on April 17, 2006 and waited only nine days before the call came that a heart was available for him. After spending nine days in the hospital after his transplant, he went home eager to finally get his chance to enjoy what other boys his age took for granted - physical activity, mainly sports. The NiagaraFallsReview.ca wrote a great article, A New Heart at 5 - A New Life at 10, telling all about this young man's story. Isaac is now playing soccer and even hockey. In fact, his dad said, in regards to the hockey playing, "At the beginning, we were kind of hesitant. But then again, he had waited so long, we weren't gonna hold him back."

Recently, Isaac was given the opportunity to skate around with some Toronto Maple Leafs players at Air Canada Centre. I'm sure that was a huge thrill for the 10-year old since hockey is as big to Canadian kids as the NFL is to kids in the U.S. Hopefully, Isaac will have many quality years to enjoy many, many more special moments like the Maple Leafs' skate around.