The Legecy of Ronald Reagan

 Recently two public news items came to my attention. One was the publication of Will Bunch’s book, “Tear Down This Myth.” The second item concerns Rand Paul’s statements prior to his being elected to the U.S. Senate from Kentucky. Both items were about President Ronald Reagan. I was particularly interested in their views since I voted for Reagan for Governor of California and also for President of the United States. He was my hero. Since I have a tendency to put my heroes on a pedestal, Bunch and Paul have reminded me that President Reagan had “feet of clay.”

 Bunch’s view of Reagan is not complimentary. His trickle-down theory of economics was and is a failure. “Reagan was a divisive president with only average approval ratings.” His legacy was created by Washington conservatives.

 The claim that Reagan was responsible for winning the Cold War, is a myth. It was Russia that capitulated.

 In 2008, Jim Cramer, noted stock guru, while giving a lecture at Bucknell University, said, “Ever since Reagan our nation has been regressing economically.”

 A major disaster for our country was Reagan’s repealing the “regulatory” demands established by President F. D. Roosevelt. He had placed restrictions on the Stock Market, Wall Street, Banks, Insurance Companies, Pharmaceutical and Medical industries. Reagan gave them all free access. An example of this change is the “foreclosure” problems in the housing industry.

 Between 2007 and 2009, Rand Paul was caustic in his criticism of Reagan. “The deficit went through the roof under Reagan,” Paul said in 2007. “It was three times higher than Carter’s worst deficit.” Rand Paul also pointed out that Reagan’s deficit rose each year throughout his two terms.

 Interest rates sky rocketed, going up every year. Most people over 50 years old can remember Reagan “firing 11,300 air traffic controllers. This led to years of poorly experienced ATC’s.”

 Perhaps the most up-setting action of President Reagan’s regime was his actions in the Iran, Contra, and Cuban-backed Sandinistas affair. To understand his attitude in defending the Contras’ cause in Nicaragua, he said, “The Contras are the moral equivalent of our Founding Fathers.”

 The law restricted the CIA and the Department of Defense operations in Nicaragua. In 1985 Iran secretly requested to buy weapons from the U.S.A. Iran held hostages and Reagan shipped 1,500 missiles to Iran for the hostages’ freedom.

 Of the $30 million reportedly paid by Iran only $12 million was received by the Treasury Department.

 Oliver North, with Reagan’s approval, had been diverting funds to the Contras. Reagan lied about his involvement, but fourteen of his administrators were convicted. He later admitted to not telling the truth.

 In spite of all these actions by President Reagan, I still have a high regard for him and Nancy. He was always loyal to his friends and passionate in his patriotism.

Amen. Selah. So be it.

 

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT

G. W. Abersold Ph.D.