2020 Independence Day (HD) - A Time for Choosing - We Must Fight for Freedom - President Reagan

In 1964, Ronald Reagan gave a speech entitled "A Time for Choosing." It was presented during the U.S. presidential election campaign on behalf of Republican candidate Barry Goldwater.

Reagan stressed his belief in the importance of smaller government, and revealed his ideological motivation: "The Founding Fathers knew a government can’t control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing."

He also said, "You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man’s age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism."

Soon afterwards, Reagan was asked to run for Governor of California. To this day, this speech is considered one of the most effective ever made on behalf of a candidate. Nevertheless, Reagan was later called the "Great Communicator" in recognition of his effective speech-making skills.