What Calvin Coolidge's 1925 Inauguration can teach us today. 100 years ago President Calvin Coolidge was a classic example of a man far wiser than all the critics who underestimated him. The "return of common sense" we hear so much about today is reminiscent of his approach to limited government which emphasized efficiency, restraint, and following the Constitution. Coolidge reduced gov. waste, kept taxes low as high taxes hurt economic growth, avoided envy and redistribution of wealth and said property rights are essential for liberty as is law and order.