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I have a personal bias against him. One of his first executive orders was to cancel a loan program to farmers. It cost me and about 1800 other people a job at Allis-Chalmers making combines. Farmers were being LOANED money at a low interest rate to buy farm equipment. Our factory went from 24/365 to closed in less than 2 years. He only did it because the program was set up by Jimmy Carter.
Immigration is the only issue with which I have a bone to pick with him. He was an incredible president during just the right time.
He was not perfect and had some genuinely difficult situations to suss out, like South America and Iran, but I would never say he went into those with ignorance or a lack of fair consideration of the facts he had at the time. And he wasn’t afraid of action or underestimated the cost inaction could have.
One of the best presidents ever- if there was room for one more on Mt. Rushmore, he would get my vote. Restored pride, belief, and prosperity in America after Carter lectured us with that "malaise" speech and that America's best days might be over. Beefed up the military, called the Soviets an "evil empire," refused to back down from a bully, and won the Cold War after Carter had advocated arms reduction and American concessions to the Soviets.
Oversaw the growth of the American economy, which rebounded from the miserable Carter stagflation days and roared back with a vengeance. A rising tide in the '80s lifted all boats and generated untold levels of wealth and wages after the disastrous deindustrialization of the '70s.
All while maintaining a high level of integrity, class, optimism, demeanor, and awesome sense of humor. Truly an American original. "It's morning in America again!"
I'm always a bit flabbergasted by conservatives' adoration of "St Ronny". I agree, he was a good cheerleader for America. He did help to restore American pride and confidence. He was a great talker - but didn't actually DO much of anything. The growth of the economy can be attributed to Paul Volcker, Chairman of the Fed, not to anything Reagan did. Contrary to popular belief, the US military build up is not what caused collapse of the Soviet Bloc, but at any rate the build up began under Carter.
People carp about Reagan's tax cuts for the rich but he was also responsible along with liberal Tip O'Neil for the bi-partisan tax reform act of 1986. Reagan was not the far right extremist of leftist imagination. He got along with Democrats in congress like Tip O'Neill, negotiated firmly but in good faith with Mikhail Gorbachev, and presided over the end of the cold war. His policies along with the Fed's taming of inflation turned the moribund economy of the 1970s around and ushered in a long period of economic growth. The Iran/Contra scandal was a blot on his record, otherwise I would have rated him as "one of the best" rather than "better than average".
Most culpable of refusing to even acknowledge the existence of AIDS when the medical community, researchers and activists begged for funding. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I said, “couldn’t happen to a more deserving person”.
Reagan, like those who came before and followed, did the best he was capable of, with the cards he was dealt.
It was a mixed bag, depending on perspective:
Reagan served well before the 24/7 cable news cycle, the Internet and social media. If he were in office now, public sentiment would be different.
Nearly every word he spoke had been scripted for him. His Admin had assembled excellent writers.
He campaigned on the promise to balance the Federal Budget. His admin never once submitted a balanced budget. The Federal Debt first crossed the $Trillion mark under his watch and trebled during his two terms. This is what happens when tax cuts are not offset with spending cuts. The size of the Federal Government increased.
The Iran- Contradict scandal happened under his watch and he owned it, although he claimed no prior knowledge.
He gave amnesty to millions of illegals and promised to secure the borders and punish employers who employed undocumented people then kicked the can.
He restored China's Most Favored Trading Partner Status. Walmart became the largest private sector employer, followed by McDonalds.
Federal income tax rates were cut. Payroll Taxes were increased and by law, surpluses are lent to the Federal Government.
The S&L crisis required a massive Federal Bailout.
At the urging of his appointed Fed Chair, he championed NAFTA which was ceremoniously signed by Bush 1, during his term, subject to approval by Congress.
His Admin conceived /promoted the Earned Income Tax Credit. He touted it as the single greatest tool to fight poverty. It was and remains the primary reason why half of wage earners don't pay Federal Income Taxes.
His Admin favored EMTLA requiring hospital ERs to stabilize patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay and in doing so, encouraged sick people to use the ER for non- emergency medical care.
He seemed to grasp the art of negotiation where outcomes leave both parties with a win- win or lose- lose taste in their mouths.
He used his ranch instead of the White House to conduct a substantial amount of Federal business.
FLOTUS relied heavily on astrologers to set the POTUS schedule and influence positions.
FLOTUS embraced the War on Drugs as her project.
Banned the carry of loaded weapons in National Parks. Interestingly enough, Obama revered the ban. Reagan eventually endorsed the Bady Bill.
Last edited by middle-aged mom; 02-07-2018 at 08:50 AM..
People carp about Reagan's tax cuts for the rich but he was also responsible along with liberal Tip O'Neil for the bi-partisan tax reform act of 1986. Reagan was not the far right extremist of leftist imagination. He got along with Democrats in congress like Tip O'Neill, negotiated firmly but in good faith with Mikhail Gorbachev, and presided over the end of the cold war. His policies along with the Fed's taming of inflation turned the moribund economy of the 1970s around and ushered in a long period of economic growth. The Iran/Contra scandal was a blot on his record, otherwise I would have rated him as "one of the best" rather than "better than average".
I think it very unlikely, Reagan would be nominated or elected, today.
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