Revisionism 101. LOL
For starters. Bush has been fortunate to have a GOP Congress to work with. Thanks Newt. Reagan didn't have that luxury. Reagan was successful in getting six years of a GOP Senate starting in 1981. OTOH. When you look at Reagan's two landlside election victories, its obvious he connected with the vast majority of Americans like no since Ike. Something Bush has been unable to do thus far. Bush barely got by Algore and a close outcome in Ohio almost gave us President Kerry.
Don't take me wrong. I like Bush. He is a man of integrity, honor and morality. He's doing a remarkable job prosecuting the war in Iraq. On cutting taxes, defense, judical nominees and pro-life/right to life issues, Bush has shown strong conservative leadership. On social spending (called "HUMAN RESOURCES" in the budget), Bush`s track record is awful. Social spending has gone up significantly each year of Bush`s Presidency. Bush is a big spending, big government Republican who hasn't picked up his veto pen since taking office. And on immigration reform, Bush has been asleep at the wheel for the last 4-1/2 years.
Reagan was also strong on tax cuts, defense, judicial nominees and pro-life/right to life issues. However, when it came to federal spending, Reagan actually reduced non-defense related discretionary spending in his first term and kept it under control for his full eight year term. Reagan also reduced social spending, aka. welfare and entitlement spending, from the Carter years, during his entire eight year term. OMB.gov has all the data.
The 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act was comprehensive legislation to get the economy back on track. Reagan was faced with the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. This is when Reagan had his lowest poll numbers. By 1983 the US economy was in recovery mode. Inflation, interests rates and unemployment were all headed down. Consumer spending, investments and savings were on the way up.
Reagan's military buildup and Strategic Defense Inititive set a course that would lead to the end of the Soviet Empire, Euro-communism and the US winning the Cold War.
When Reagan finished his time in office, the American economy was soaring, the evil empire was crumbling, and people around the world looked up to America again as a shining city on a hill. Bush43 has a lot of work to do in his final three years. I wish him the best. His success is my success and America's success.