It was either the 1988 or 1992 republican convention that Ronald Reagan gave an eloquent speech.

He started the speech with a line something like; 'When you find yourself in darkness, do not be afraid, turn on a light,' That line caught me and I thought, 'gee, isn't that so Ronald Reagan like'. I realized at that point that we had such a different philosophy because when I find myself in darkness I need not turn on a light to not be afraid, rather I familiarize myself with the darkness and become comfortable with it.

I think most americans are like Ronald Reagan.