If Reagan Had Been President During The Depression? (unemployed, Congress, lobbyist)

[Motion]

What would he had done differently from FDR?

[stillkit]

Nothing. He spent us out of the recession he inherited, just as FDR spent us out of the Great Depression.

[Motion]

^

So they both did the similar things? Interesting. Then why are they viewed differently by liberals and conservatives?

[ovcatto]

You mean back when he was a liberal Democrat and trade unionist?

Increase stimulative defense spending!

[totsuka]

He would have been much better than FDR. Reagan loved the American people and believed they could do almost anything if government just got out of there way. FDR believed Americans wanted more welfare programs and declared war on the wealthy and business community. FDR just made the depression the Great Depression.

[rbohm]

reagan would have done many of the same things he did in the 80s, cut taxes and regulations, and generally set up a pro business environment.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Motion

What would he had done differently from FDR?

Assuming also that Reagan had a GOP controlled Congress, like FDR had a Democrat controlled Congress, Reagan would have asked Congress to cut taxes, and get government regulation off of business' back to begin with. The more the private sector invests in the economy, and the less government interference with that private economy, the quicker the recovery.

In short, Reagan would have done precisely the opposite of FDR and the economy would have recovered twice as fast or faster.

[TrapperJohn]

Originally Posted by Motion

What would he had done differently from FDR?

He was 20 years old at the start of the Depression.... :grin:

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Motion

What would he had done differently from FDR?

Told people to "vote with their feet" and leave if they couldn't find work. That's what he told the unemployed steelworkers in Pittsburgh in the 80s.

[mpyne]

Originally Posted by rbohm

reagan would have done many of the same things he did in the 80s, cut taxes and regulations, and generally set up a pro business environment.

Lol, you act as if the government isnt pro business now? So what are all those lobbyist doing in Washington?