Power of Humor

Without humor, where would we be? Life is a grand tragedy, or survivable comedy, or a touch of both, as we make it. Good people – and great leaders – know a secret: humor lightens the heavy heart and can set our dial to restart.

As Victor Borge, comedic piano wit – like Tom Lehrer at the keyboard – used to say, “Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” And no one knew that better than Ronald Reagan.

Ronald Reagan could bring instant joy to a weary room, the sort of mirth we all need these days, and the sort that made you think whimsy hid in every day.

To borrow from Dr. Seuss, another adult blessed to see the world through a child’s eyes, “From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.”

Working as a young person in Reagan’s White House, his easy wit was constantly displayed, reminding staff that laughter was good for the soul and better on tough days.

Some may recall Reagan’s self-deprecating way of defanging critics, defusing tensions, and making people grow up and be serious with humor.

After a disappointing vote at the United Nations, where more revolted than followed, he quipped, “Nothing like a vote in the U.N. to tell you who your friends used to be.” In other words, life is a struggle, and friends matter. We will be back.

On the economy, which he grew by reducing government, he had much to say.

About overregulation, “Most people would be glad to mind their own business if the government would give it back,” and on taxes, “People who think a tax boost will cure inflation are the same ones who believe another drink will cure a hangover.”

He chided old friend Tip O’Neil, “The art of politics is making people like you no matter what it costs them.”

On raising kids, he used humor to remind us that the more life changes, the more it stays the same. “The three ways to get something done are: do it yourself, hire someone to do it, or forbid your kids to do it,” “Why can’t life’s problems hit us when we are 18 and know everything,” and “As long as there are final exams there will be prayer in schools.”

About the process of growing up, he advised the long view. “The younger generation has no faults that being a parent and a taxpayer will not eliminate.”

While Reagan’s humor was light, it conveyed truths – in ways that caused people to hear. More regulation and taxes slow an economy, spending people’s money is not what they want, and life and learning – at their core – do not change.

Ribbing his Nancy, whom he loved, to the sky, he taught respect and collegiality – with humor. “Never start an argument with a woman when she’s tired – or when she’s rested,” and “If at first you don’t succeed, do it the way she told you.”

In life, he was honest. “Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from poor judgment.” On the wild world, “Today, if someone offered us the world on a silver platter, most of us would take the platter.”

Most remarkable, beyond offering a window into his good heart, was how Reagan taught lessons with humor, giving people a moment to laugh but then to reflect.

Controversially, in August 1984, he poked fun at the Soviet Union, joking on a mic check for a Saturday address, “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” 

While nonsense, the left exploded. Yet the joke inadvertently – or perhaps not – sent a subtle message. Reagan was no pushover, believed Soviet communism had no legitimacy, and would end up “on the ash heap of history.” It did.

Many criticized his age. He was 77 when he left the presidency. Again, he used humor to staunch critics. Debating Democrat opponent Walter Mondale in 1984, he responded, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Later, he whimsically quipped, “Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.’ And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying.” On both occasions, even the press corps roared.

Main point: Humor at all times is valuable, especially in moments of stress. While hard to deploy well and no substitute for hardheaded decision-making, it illuminates our common humanity, lightens life, and sometimes even teaches.

Bob Hope, in a serious moment, said: “I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful.” We all have moments. As Charlie Chaplin said, “A day without humor is a day wasted.”

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.