A Vision of Voluntarism

Calling for a return to a self-help society

If Ronald Reagan's vision of a regenerated America could be painted, there is no question about which artist would best execute the commission: the late Norman Rockwell. The President's dreams for the future seem almost wholly derived from a sweeter, simpler, stout-hearted past. During his televised plea for a second wave of budget cuts last month, he seemed eager to finish with the drab statistics and demands for sacrifice, and get to the part where his idealism could shine.

"I believe the spirit of volunteerism lives...