The IronLady

From one "Iron Lady" referring to THE "Iron Lady" it is hard not to feel sadness. Margaret Thatcher passed away today. Her character, philosophy and achievements made her one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers. The world has lost a true champion of freedom and democracy.

Margaret Thatcher fought socialism in England and unyieldingly promoted free-market views. She put a stop to the British labor unions and strongly believed in a limited government by lowering spending and taxation.

Ronald Regean and Margaret Thatcher were political soul mates, committed to freedom and resolved to end Communism. As Prime Minister, Thatcher had the clear vision and strong determination to stand up for her beliefs at a time when so many were afraid to “rock the boat.” As a result, she helped to bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union and the liberation of millions of people.

Mrs. Thatcher famously said, “The trouble with socialists is that they always run out of other people’s money.” Margaret Thatcher once said that her competition would rather the poor were poorer provided the rich were less rich. That way you will never create the wealth for better social statuses. In a system of free trade and free markets poor countries – and poor people – are not poor because others are rich. Indeed, if others became less rich the poor would in all probability become still poorer."

I have listened to many speeches by Margaret Thather and one which hits home with me is this: “I think we’ve been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it’s the government’s job to cope with it. ‘I have a problem, I’ll get a grant.’ ‘I’m homeless, the government must house me.’ They’re casting their problem on society. And you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It’s our duty to look after ourselves and then, also, to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There’s no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation.”

The magnificence of Thatcher was her refusal to accept the conventional wisdom of her age...her refusal to conform. History will enshrine Margaret Thatcher as a transformational leader who helped defeat communism, promote freedom, and bring hope to the oppressed. Her penetrating words and compelling vision will last for generations.