Why I’m a Conservative

In 1964, just 12 days before my 14th birthday I watched a speech on our family’s small black and white Zenith television – a speech which changed my life and set me on the course to become a government watchdog. Ronald Reagan made a nationally televised speech on behalf of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, the Senator from Arizona.

I was so moved by his words and the spirit of his message that I felt Ronald Reagan should be running for president. I knew as I listened to this amazing communicator that I was a Conservative and that I wanted to spend my life in working to limit taxes and making government smaller, better, and closer to home.

Two years later Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California. Sixteen years later he was elected President of the United States. I hope you will watch this video or read his message. What he said then is even more important today. His message about improving the federal government is just as valid in improving state and local government.