7thriv

Reagan formally launched his 1980 campaign on Labor Day across from the Statue of Liberty, and his entire speech made reference to the "Great Lady" in the background. Reagan's upraised arm looks almost like a mimic of the Statue's countenance, and perhaps this was not a coincidence.

In that speech Reagan referred to "the torch that many times before in our nation's history has cast a golden light in times of gloom." He closed out the speech with the phrase, "Let us pledge to each other, with this Great Lady looking on, that we can, and so help us God, we will, make America great again."

It is important to note, though, that in 1980 the Statue of Liberty, like the nation, was in serious disrepair. It was corroded and rusting; there were rust holes all the way through in places. The paint was peeling. Structural engineers warned that the arm bearing the torch was in danger of falling off. It was swaying dangerously in the strong winds that blew off the ocean.

In other words, the condition of the statue was a perfect metaphor for Jimmy Carter's America.

During Reagan's first term, the statue underwent a complete renovation. It cost $350 million--every penny privately raised. Who says only the government can do large things? The great Lady of Liberty didn't need a "stimulus" bill to get fixed up.

Reagan presided over the unveiling of the refurbished statue in 1986, a bit past the halfway point in his presidency. His approval ratings were at an all time high, as the economy was booming. In his remarks before throwing the switch to turn on the nighttime spotlights, Reagan said: "We are the keepers of the flame of liberty. We hold it high tonight for the world to see, a beacon of hope, a light unto the nations."