Consistent. Principled. Action.

When Margaret Thatcher died this week, the world lost a lioness. Revered by some, reviled by others, she changed the world as the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Margaret Thatcher was a contemporary of Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, the Polish Pope. The three of them changed the course of history for the entire world and literally saved the Western world.

I have long admired Maggie Thatcher. Her belief in freedom, her commitment to advance liberty, her distain for oppressive government – all spoke deeply to me. Above all, her iron will. She was known as The Iron Lady for a reason. Because she was.

When Argentina attacked the Falkland Islands, Prime Minister Thatcher was decisive. She had the British armed forces underway in less than 24 hours. No dithering there.

I continue to admire the simplicity of her vision.

“Let me give you my vision. A man’s right to work as he will. To spend what he earns. To own property. To have the state (government) as servant and not as master.”

Margaret Thatcher could not, however, overcome one crucial element of British law, and that obstacle stopped even more fundamental reform. That crucial element was universal health care. In spite of her successes, she couldn’t overcome universal health care. And that obstacle continues to plague Great Britain today.

Margaret Thatcher, rest in peace. From the West Point alma mater, “Well done. Be thou at peace.”

Sincerely,
Keith