I take one mild exception. This passage is misleading:
AMERICA'S economic boom from the early 1980s to the beginning of this century is in large part a legacy of the end of the Cold War...
The Reagan economic boom was primarily due to his tax cuts and reining-in of government regulations. This unleashed venture investment and entrepreneurship.
Reagan's winning of the Cold War certainly was a major help. But when Bush the Elder and Criminal Clinton both raised taxes they killed the boom, even though the Cold War was still over.
Government creates recession. People create prosperity. President Reagan was a wise man to understand this. He was a great man when he used it for the common good.
Excellent Points All... :))