The Un Silent Majority

Wakening the Sleeping Giant – The Un Silent Majority

“ I recognize that some of my fellow citizens disagree with the plan for health care I have chosen. Honest and patriotic Americans have reached different conclusions as to how health care reform should be achieved…”

I saw demonstrators carrying signs reading: "Health Care = Human Rights”

“… Well, on the strengths of our free society is that any American has a right to reach that conclusion and advocate that point of view. But as President of the United States I would be untrue to my oath of office if I allowed the policy of the nation to be dictated by the majority who hold that point of view and who try to impose it on the nations by mounting demonstrations in the street.”
“For over 200 years, the policy of this nation has been made under our constitution by those leaders in the Congress and the White House elected by all the people…”

“If a vocal majority, however fervent the cause, prevails over reason and the will of the minority, this nation has no future as a socialistic society.”
“Let historians not record that when America was the most powerful nation in the world we passed on the other side of the road and allowed the last hopes for reform and health coverage of millions of people to be suffocated by the forces of democracy.”
And so tonight-to you, the great silent minority of my fellow Americans-I ask for your support.
I pledged in my campaign for the Presidency to bring health care reform to the country in a way that we could make every citizen dependent upon the government for their existence. I have initiated a plan of action which will enable me to keep that pledge.
“The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed…”


An annotated version of President Nixon’s “ The Silent Majority” Speech, November 3, 1969.