Quote by Ronald Reagan, Address to the Na
More than 20 years ago, President Kennedy defined an approach that is as valid today as when he announced it. So let us not be blind to our differences,'' he said, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved.''Well, those differences are differences in governmental structure and philosophy. The common interests have to do with the things of everyday life for people everywhere. Just suppose with me for a moment that an Ivan and an Anya could find themselves, oh, say, in a waiting room, or sharing a shelter from the rain or a storm with a Jim and Sally, and there was no language barrier to keep them from getting acquainted. Would they then debate the differences between their respective governments? Or would they find themselves comparing notes about their children and what each other did for a living?Before they parted company, they would probably have touched on ambitions and hobbies and what they wanted for their children and problems of making ends meet. And as they went their separate ways, maybe Anya would be saying to Ivan, Wasn't she nice? She also teaches music.'' Or Jim would be telling Sally what Ivan did or didn't like about his boss. They might even have decided they were all going to get together for dinner some evening soon. Above all, they would have proven that people don't make wars.People want to raise their children in a world without fear and without war. They want to have some of the good things over and above bare subsistence that make life worth living. They want to work at some craft, trade, or profession that gives them satisfaction and a sense of worth. Their common interests cross all borders.http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/11684a.htm
Summary
This quote highlights President Kennedy's call to focus on common interests and find ways to resolve differences. He emphasizes that people's everyday lives and shared aspirations are what truly unite them across barriers of language and political ideologies. By imagining a scenario where people from different countries and backgrounds interact, the quote suggests that they would primarily discuss personal matters, such as their families, occupations, and dreams. This serves as a reminder that people desire peace and prosperity for themselves and their loved ones, emphasizing that common interests extend beyond national borders. Ultimately, the quote suggests that focusing on shared desires and aspirations can help bridge the gap between governmental structures and promote understanding and collaboration.
