Posted on 06/06/2004 9:50:14 AM PDT by paul in cape
Agree. Reagan's achievements were in large part to fix the problems that FDR created. He deepened and extended the depression, allowed Commies into high ranking positions in his government, and gave the Soviets half of Europe. He destroyed federalism and ran roughshod over the constitution, preparing the way for the rulings of the 50s, 60s and 70s which fundamentally changed our society.
FDR dominated the first half of the century, no question about it, and Reagan is the dominant figure of the second half. The difference is that FDR screwed things up, and Reagan fixed things.
I'd even agree in having FDR part be a part of that national monument. FDR`s steady hand and overall efforts during WWII beat back the forces of fascism, nazism and imperialism. He may not be one of my favorite presidents, but he definitely was one of America's favorite presidents.
OTOH, John Kennedy was not a great President and there are many doubts had he lived, would have been reelected. Besides, for a man that held office for barely 1000 days, there are plenty of national tributes to his memory.
LBJ also is responsible for taking Social Security from it's status of being a separate fund into part of the General Fund.
Kennedy, to me, is the most overrated president in history. Even the Cuban missile crisis is a joke. Granted, he stopped the Soviets for a moment. But that didn't prevent the Soviets from getting arms to Cuba through other means.
Kennedy is a prime example of fluff over substance, personified. Thanks to the Kennedy example, we had to endure eight years of Clinton, and this is the same method being used by John Kerry: "As long as we talk about making America Better, America is better."
How about this? A large statue of Reagan developed from the famous speech "Tear this wall down." As I recall, Reagan pointed at the wall when he said that. Sculpt the statue of Reagan in that pose, and place the Statue so it points toward the piece of the Wall at the Reagan Building in Washington.
To me, that would be a fitting tribute.
Rushmore is a work of art that shouldn't be altered or duplicated.
I support finding an original, new way to honor Reagan.
I also support letting a little time pass.
Rushing around, throwing up monuments everywhere, tends to dilute their meaningfulness.
What about adding Teddy Kennedy ??
Then a water site could be utilized, with Ted's carving on the bottom below the water line, and the stone above the waterline for the rest of the carvings???
I agree
While I agree that Reagan is the principle figure in stopping the Cold War, Gorbachev set the groundwork at home. Without his efforts within the Soviet Union, the Cold War would still be happening. Imagine if a soviet leader the likes of any of Gorbachev 's predecessors had been in that office.
If we're going to include world leaders then Gorbachev should be a part that monument.
If the monument is only for U.S. leaders, then Reagan should stand alone.
LBJ also is responsible for taking Social Security from it's status of being a separate fund into part of the General Fund.
It also could be argued that Johnson rode the corspe of JFK through Congress.
Quantity of legislation passed does not mean quality.
Under Johnson, Social Security went from being a retirement fund to include a huge welfare arm - the vary thing that is dragging SS down today.
Just make sure to put a bar nearby.
I think we're of a similar mind in this.
Save that crap for the Brits. America is not an Empire. America don't play dat.
In the tradition of "tear down that wall", we tear down that odious 'Hollywood' sign, and construct a monument to President Reagan there; where he can 'keep an eye' on those depraved leftists for years to come. Can you imagine Reiner, Baldwin, and the rest of their ilk having to look at that every day for the rest of their lives? ROTF!
Reagan 2004. Even at room temperature, he's the best choice.
That works for me!!!.... and how about in Teddy's "section" ,for the people who are too scared or don't wanna get wet on the "auto-slide",how about an arcade of "Whack-A- Mole"( "Whack-A DEM") games ???...
They could be designed with little car doors on top that pop open, but instead of a mole( or female )head popping out, IT'S Teddys'head popping out of the car door, and folks can "Whack" him back down in the car(where he SHOULD have stayed)......
...then join up with the family at the bar after the "auto-slide"......kinda like Space Mountain @ WDW.....
Good one! I have a feeling that Reagan memorials will go up in many places in this country, and I would work for one here in WA. After all, he carried this state twice, and we're about as Rat (in statewide politics) as you can get. Even Chrissie ("It's My Turn, Dammit!") Gregoire, leading Rat candidate for governor had nice things to say about Reagan yesterday.
We are in agreement, but you are a better speller than I am. LOL! (corspe=corpse; vary=very)
I should also have written that to a Republican like me, an abundance of legislation is a bad thing.
As for JFK - he and his family took a pretty picture and he was tragically assassinated. He commands far too much attention. Don't even get me started on the claim that Kennedy deftly resolved the Cuban missile crisis.
Kennedy? KENNEDY?
So eventually Winston Churchill will come to be regarded as another great American.
ROTFL!! Great idea.
(although, call those lefties what they are: Communists!)
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