I am not a politician. I am an ordinary citizen with a deep-seated belief that much of what troubles us has been brought about by politicians.

Ronald Reagan
H85, Ronald Reagan being sworn in as Governor of California by Associate Justice Marshall McComb in the State Capitol, Sacramento, California. 01/02/1967.

In 1966, California faced serious problems: a huge budget deficit, the highest taxes in the nation, a frightening crime rate, exploding welfare costs, and air and water pollution. Ronald Reagan won the governorship of California with a simple, consistent philosophy. He championed economic freedom, smaller government, fewer regulations, and lower taxes.