Posted on 06/02/2002 9:37:09 AM PDT by freeforall
I was born in 1981, so I was too young to understand politics when Reagan was in office. My parents (stubborn Democrats) refuse to say anything positive about him. So what did Reagan really contribute to this country? —Born (Almost) Yesterday
If you want to know in detail what Reagan contributed, there are biographies out on the man. But here's a brief list of what I think he achieved: (1) by rebuilding US defense, speaking against the evils of communism, and calling for the Berlin Wall to come down, he helped end the worst of the long Cold War with Russia; (2) by cutting taxes and regulation, he helped rejuvenate the US economy; (3) by showing an understanding of the power of freedom and optimism, he helped restore American confidence and patriotism; (4) by helping fund pro-liberty revolutions around the world, he helped turn many countries away from tyranny and toward the US worldview; (5) by conducting himself with great professionalism in office, he returned dignity to, and respect for, the institution of the presidency; (6) by speaking out for individual rights at the UN and other forums, he reminded the US and the world of the core nature of America; (7) by rebuilding friendships with other pro-freedom nations, he strengthened America's system of alliances, which made us safer; (8) by working for expansion of trade worldwide, he helped enrich the entire planet and the US in particular.
There were other things Reagan did. These were the positives that stood out. They far outweighed any negatives. He helped turn a faltering, dispirited nation into a vibrant, strong, and courageous one. He was a great man. I'm only sorry to say that I—a much gloomier and more myopic person at the time—did not fully appreciate him while he was in office. Incidentally, if you want a true sense of the man's character and values, I recommend the book, In His Own Hand. It is a collection of Reagan's many radio addresses. They capture the essence of his mind.
Under Carter, the prime interest rate was 21%, and inflation was in double digits. To live in an economy like that was pretty scary. Carter was completely unable to do anything to solve the problem, except to lecture Americans about the need to get out of their "malaise."
Reagan came in, implemented tax cuts, threw out price controls on energy, and after a brief recession which was the inevitable result of coming out of Carter's disastrous economy, started an economic boom that pretty much went through the Clinton years.
Reagan made free market economics respectable after decades of Keynesian idiocy.
Jimmy Carter was my Governor before he convinced America that she needed a "reformer," and won office. I was running small businesses at the time, and by the time the 1980 elections rolled around, I was convinced that he was a disaster.
Just a few things wrong?
1- the fall of the Shah of Iran
2- Cubans in Angola
3- interest rates topping 21%
4- the Soviets ( remember them? ) rattling sabres around Europe
5- unrest in Central America
6- stagflation ( look it up, it's ugly! )
6- the Death of Elvis ( just kidding! )
Actually, there's a lot more, but this old PC is the devil to type on- anyway, almost anyone would have been better than Jimmy C., but luckily, Reagan came along. Let's just say I thought he was our best hope for reversing some of the rot & "malaise" that was infesting the country, and we moved heaven & earth to get him elected. They were good days.
Re-strengthening our military forced the Soviets to do something that they couldn't do: keep pace with us economically. The tax cuts and a return to a market economy in the early 80's (remember the "Misery Index" coined during the Carter administration) sparked an economic expansion that planned economies (i.e. the Soviets) couldn't compete with us.
I somewhat disagree with #5 - Carter didn't disrespect/disgrace the office like the previous occupant did. Carter just didn't handle the situations as they should be. Reagan flexed American military muscle when necessary. There were triumphs (Granada) and tragedies (Beirut). But it's a testimony to America's resilience that it took as short of period of time as it did to re-tool the military and make it effective. Without those steps we could not have responded to the challenges of Desert Shield/Storm.
I remember the 1980 election - I lived in California at the time. My friends were telling me not to vote for Reagan because "he was a Nazi". Looking back on it, I realize that my friends were leftists/liberals. Even though I was not politically aware then, it was Reagan's presidency that showed me that there was a difference between a conservative and liberal/moderate administrations.
Stagflation started with Nixon when he instituted price controls in the early 70's. Ford and Carter continued the mistake, Reagan corrected the mistake in the early 80's - not without some pain.
Some say that Carter was screwed by oil price increases. I'm not convinced that was the problem. If people will note, oil prices shot up in the last few years also. Did interest rates hit 21%? No. And there goes Jimmy's claim. He was, is and always will be a bumbling fool.
Politicizing the Olympics
Giving away the Panama Canal
Sure. Upon seeing the headline, I reached for my baseball bat. Glad I read past it: good post.
Sun-Tzu must have been beaming with pride.
Don't forget we would never have had this pointless debate over storing nuclear waste at Yucca Flats if Carter hadn't signed that fool law outlawing recycling spent nuclear components. The French have done it for nearly 20 years without a hitch. We could, too, and have had cleaner, cheaper power than we currenty do.
DU Loser
Try to get a Liberal to list the obvious achievments of Reagan is almost impossible.But Clinton he was the most brilliant prez ever. But besides the building in Saudi Arabia,the Embassies in Africa,The Cole,The WTC (1993)and the OKC what terrorism did Clintoon ignore?
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