Is Ronald Reagan a scapegoat for California’s problems? (Berkeley: university, income)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

I have read where a few people believe that during Ronald Reagan’s two terms as Governor, he did so much damage to California that they have never recovered, even though that was 40 - 50 years ago. What did he supposedly do to destroy the state?

[RosieSD]

I've lived in California for 35 years and I have never heard anyone blame Ronald Reagan for California's current day issues.

Some do argue that Prop 13 -- which passed several years after Reagan was governor -- has had a detrimental effect on the state.

But, you'll also find plenty of people who argue that Prop 13 is the best thing that ever happened to California.

California, like ALL states, has always had its challenges, but I personally wouldn't blame those challenges on the actions/decisions of a single person. Like the challenges in every state, it's is much more complicated than that.

[Usrname]

Well it's being mentioned that under Reagan all the completely crazy folks got to live on the streets due to mental health cuts...and CA climate being conductive gives....

[NewbieHere]

I live here for almost 45 years. He was great for me and my family. I worked at one of his StarWars program. I thought he lowered the income tax rate overall. He helped me simplify my tax, I no longer had to carry a lot of receipts. Some people on CDs likes to blame Reagan. They probably are on public pension. I never heard they blamed on any Democrats.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Usrname

Well it's being mentioned that under Reagan all the completely crazy folks got to live on the streets due to mental health cuts...and CA climate being conductive gives....

Right, that was when he was President, though. I've only heard that he instituted tuition in the university system, which had been free until then (he said he did this to keep Communist infiltrators out of UC Berkeley, in the wake of the Free Speech movement and the Vietnam War protests), and he sent the National Guard to Berkeley, to help the university assert control over a vacant lot they owned, that had been turned into a park by hippies and street people.

Maybe this should be on the History forum, lol.

Here are a couple items from Wiki, on Reagan as Guv:

In his first term, he froze government hiring and approved tax hikes to balance the budget

An unsuccessful attempt to recall Reagan in 1968[15] was supported by senior citizens, educators, and organized labor.

No explanation on the latter, but here's the link to Wiki's source for it:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?n...=7014,1169940c

[NewbieHere]

I thought the Vietnam war protests were over by the time he was elected. But I think he’s right, Bezerkeley need to get off the street protesting. If free tuition did that, then it’s best to take it away.

[Usrname]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Right, that was when he was President, though. I've only heard that he instituted tuition in the university system, which had been free until then (he said he did this to keep Communist infiltrators out of UC Berkeley, in the wake of the Free Speech movement and the Vietnam War protests), and he sent the National Guard to Berkeley, to help the university assert control over a vacant lot they owned, that had been turned into a park by hippies and street people.

Maybe this should be on the History forum, lol.

Yes, as a President....and CA having a nice climate for year-round outdoor living became a magnet for those folks from all over, so some blame Reagan presidency.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Usrname

Well it's being mentioned that under Reagan all the completely crazy folks got to live on the streets due to mental health cuts...and CA climate being conductive gives....

Further back than Reagan. It was during JFK's administration in 1963. Unfortunately, JFK's plans for what could happen for those who were deinstitutionalized afterward were not realized, since he was assassinated one month after his legislation was passed.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by NewbieHere

I thought the Vietnam war protests were over by the time he was elected. But I think he’s right, Bezerkeley need to get off the street protesting. If free tuition did that, then it’s best to take it away.

Yes, they were. That's why ai said "in the wake of", instead of "during".

[nobodysbusiness]

The worse thing I think he did, and I remember this - in the 70's he closed mental hospitals and turned the people out on the street. There have never been mental hospitals ever since.