REAGAN'S WIT AND GOOD HUMOR WORTH RECALLING.

Byline: Gary Galles

IN February, we remember our presidents. Washington and Lincoln have long been the focal points. But we should also remember another president born in February - Ronald Reagan, born 93 years ago today, Feb. 6.

Reagan's words reflected our Founders' vision of America's greatness more closely than those of any other president in memory. He echoed the Founders' recognition that our greatness could be unleashed only through an unwavering commitment to liberty, which required saying ``no'' more frequently than was politically popular.

But Reagan's words were also seasoned with humor, reflecting a genuine affection for Americans. In addition to poking fun at himself, he used humor to protest government abuse, to highlight the frequent lack of logic behind government proposals and programs, and to deflate those grown too self-important as ``public servants.''

Today, with such wit much scarcer, it is worth remembering some of that humor:

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

--``The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them away.''

--``When those who advocate an open mind keep it open at both ends with no thought process in the middle, the open mind becomes a hose for any idea that comes along.''

--``The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.'''

--``A government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!''

--``There are some in government who have a very simple tax proposal in mind. There will be two lines on the tax form: How much did you make last year? Send it.''

--``I've learned in Washington that it's the only place where sound travels faster than light.''

--``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.''

--``Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats think every day is April 15.''

--``When government uses its coercive power to intervene in the free marketplace, agriculture can discover something worse to contend with than the corn borer or the boll weevil.''

--``Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to the realization that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.''

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

--``How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.''

--``The other day, someone told me the difference between a democracy and a people's democracy. It is the same difference between a jacket and a straitjacket.''

--``I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a Cabinet meeting.''

--``The fellow they've nominated claims he's the new Thomas Jefferson. Well, let me tell you something. I knew Thomas Jefferson. He was a friend of mine, and ... you're no Thomas Jefferson!''

--``What makes (Clint Eastwood) think a middle-aged actor, who's played with a chimp, could have a future in politics?''

Because Ronald Reagan saw America's possibilities, if freed from government shackles, he was a perpetual optimist. He reinvigorated our country, both through his support for ``man's age-old dream - the maximum of individual liberty consistent with order,'' and his genuine good humor. We should remember the debt we owe him for both on his birthday.

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Photo:

Then-President Reagan faces the cameras solemnly in 1987. But he might be best remembered for his good humor.

Dennis Cook/Associated Press