There’s a bit of poetic justice in the fact that President Biden’s choice for Secretary of Education would so bungle a famous quote from Ronald Reagan.
Secretary Miguel Cardona was giving a speech at the Western Governors Association Winter Meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Monday when he said, “As I think it was President Reagan said, ‘We’re from the government. We’re here to help.'”
Naturally, the Biden administration official was touting the federal government’s ability to work with state governors on funding priorities related to education — assuming those priorities are in line with the radical left views being pushed by the White House.
For the record, Reagan’s actual quote represented the very opposite of what Cardona was suggesting: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
It goes without saying but the actual quote from Reagan was “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are I’m from the Government and I’m here to help.” pic.twitter.com/susfyAmWSJ
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 27, 2023
It’s no secret that Reagan believed the more government is involved in a matter, the more harm it’s likely to cause.
The good news for Cardona is that he can now add a Community Notes fact-check to his resume:
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona just said with a completely straight face “I think it was President Reagan who said, ‘We’re from the government. We’re here to help.’”
pic.twitter.com/quRgs9nb7A— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 27, 2023
As you might expect, the story did not go over too well online… here’s a quick sampling of responses, as seen on X:
Ladies and gentlemen….if you ever had a question why the education system is failing this is why right here.
— Mr30Below (@mr30below) November 27, 2023
Wow. This man is “in charge” of federal education redistribution.
— Gregmax (@Gregmax68) November 27, 2023
This is about to be the biggest meme of 2023. Liberals will inevitably fall for this.
— Cameron Gilliam (@CameronJGilliam) November 27, 2023
“I’m from the Biden Administration. I’m here to miss the point.”
— El Magnífico (@MagnificoIX) November 27, 2023
The secretary of education, ladies and gentlemen! Can’t make this crap up!!!
— Rebeca Rodriguez (@rebequeen) November 27, 2023
The Lack of Education Secretary
— J (@ARaised_Eyebrow) November 27, 2023
you can’t be this stupid, @SecCardona.
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) November 27, 2023
These people are beyond parody
— Will’s Thoughts (@Will22Boz) November 27, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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