believer;806808 wrote:First, he knew how to spell his last name.
Reagan also was an inspirational leader; something Obama only wishes he could be.
Reagan had the uncanny ability of making us feel as if it's good to be American again after years of negative self-reflection as a nation regarding Viet Nam, Watergate, civil rights reform, etc. Reagan bypassed the liberal media and spoke directly to the American people in a positive, uplifting manner. Obama chides, scolds, wags his finger, and blames.
Reagan's tax cuts also brought us out of the stagflation and economic malaise of the disastrous Carter years.
He deregulated the airline industry making it possible for average Americans to afford air transportation.
He built up our military after Carter and his Democratic Congress decimated it in the mid to late 70's....and please don't tell me that's not true; I lived the Carter Army and then the Reagan Air Force.
Reagan stood up to the Soviet Union and was the clear voice that started the collapse of European communism.
Reagan wasn't perfect, but he WAS a leader. Obama is too busy playing golf, throwing parties at taxpayer expense, and making world wide apology tours to lead.
Let me preface this by saying Reagan was a great President and the best since Ike. That said, he gets the Bill Brasky treatment a lot.
Reagan was a leader, but had many set backs or short comings.
Sure, he grew the economy, but that lead to the weak economy in the early 90s.
He grew our military, but also grew the debt level as a result, and some of that was pointless money spent (see the MX missile).
His policy towards the Soviets was dangerous in his first term and excellent in his second. His first term nearly saw us go to war several times (82 nearly twice). His second term, when Gorb was in charge and Reagan learned it was better to talk with them instead of grand stand led to the break through of the late 80s.
He also didn't win the Cold War. The fall of the Soviets was a long time coming and the result of many factors, including Reagan, but also poor economic policy by the Soviets, NATO, Gorb and Afghanistan. If we want to to pin the Cold War victory on anyone, it is Truman for establishing the framework and institution that led to the eventual end.
Also, his National Security Council was a mess, he had 7 National Security Advisers and no framework or oversight for it. That led to Iran Contra.
Again, Reagan was a great leader, but had many flaws that nearly always get over looked.