“For Reagan, this was described in that same interview with Moyers, in his usual optimistic way, “For the first time in man’s history we unleashed the individual genius of every man to climb as high and as far as his own ability will take him. We live in the future in America – we always have – and better days are yet to come.” “
Fewer & fewer people are optimistic these days.
Simce obamathebum, it has been a social sin to ne proud, patriotic and powerful.
I was a hidden Nixon Republican, being involved in the Vietnam War via stationed at RTNAF U-Tapao, the only land-basrd B-52 base in SouthEast Asia, and gladly part of: “the 12-day air war; Operation Linebacker Ii; Operation Arc Light, and various flights to the Cambodians.
Reagan re-ignited my beaten down patriotism.
Ronald Reagan believed that America belonged to all of us – and all of us should have an equal chance to benefit and be blessed by freedom of opportunity, not just the wealthy and privileged. He wanted to help those who truly needed a safety net, while not overwhelmingly adding that burden to their hard-working neighbors.
I miss the America that created him, and elected him. Its long gone.
Excellent article and very poignant speech. Thank you for posting. I miss Reagan but also I miss the America that I love even more.
Americans need to reclaim their Country & their dream. Their heritage.
I saw that interview. While it was more balanced than anything that would be done today, and let Reagan speak for himself somewhat, Bill Moyers couldn’t help but be dismissive, because Reagan used a snap on soda can handle as an example of one person finding a way through invention to make some money.
That didn’t fit into Moyers’ view that big over-arching FDR-type programs, instead of a series of clever inventions and actions by regular people were needed to set things right.
He was quite amazing. I remember remarking in some alarm to my Dad that we had elected an “actor”. How wrong I was. We elected a leader and a wise fearless grand father. Reagan was the greatest of at least the last 100 years if not all time. He may have been an “actor” but he knew how to play the part of President very well.
And that ain't cheap.