In an era of increasing partisan rancor, members of both parties would do well to recall one of Ronald Reagan’s most powerful political tools—humor. Whether talking to friends or foes, President Reagan used humor to make points, change minds and get his way.

This new edition of Well… There You Go Again! The Humor That Shaped America captures nearly every quip, joke and anecdote told by Ronald Reagan during his presidency. It’s a virtual clinic on how to use humor as a persuasion tool. It’s also very funny. Even Democrats will laugh.

From quips about taxing and spending to jokes about economists, bureaucracy and government regulation, the collection is as pertinent today as ever. Humor has become a lost art in politics. People should learn to disagree without personal attacks and hostility. If they use humor like Ronald Reagan did, maybe some civility will return to public discourse.

Enjoy a few samples of Ronald Regan’s humor:

• I, once as a new Republican, tried to talk the Republican Party into using the 1932 Democratic Platform. It called for a 25-percent reduction in government spending, a return to the States and local communities autonomy that had been confiscated by the Federal Government, a reduction and elimination of useless boards and bureaus and departments in government. And I thought, that's still a brand new platform. At least they've never used it.
• And he told me on the steps of the Capitol, at the time of the Inaugural 4 years ago, he said, "Mr. President, I want you to know I will be with you through thick." And I said, "What about thin?" He said, "Welcome to Washington."
• As you may have noticed, Washington, DC, isn’t like other cities. Harry Truman, a man famous for saying exactly what he meant in a very few words well chosen, once said of Washington, it’s the kind of city that if you want a friend you should find a dog.