The great communicator as he was called often gets credit for being one of our better Presidents. The Right have named buildings,schools,air ports, and even bridges after him. Some have suggested his head be placed on Mt. Rushmore. Lets take a quick look at his record.
As an executive for both California and the United States Ronald Reagan ,a Conservative, greatly expanded the role of Government.As governor, he over-saw the largest tax increase in Californian 90% This by the man who was for small government. He used this phrase all the time,"Government can't fix the problem because Government is the problem. Here is a small list of his so called accomplishments.
President Reagan ignored the health crisis caused by AIDS.
SDI. Reagan spent billions on the boondoggle of
an "anti-missile shield". Which, incidentally, violated
the ABM treaty, in addition to wasting a lot of money.
an "anti-missile shield". Which, incidentally, violated
the ABM treaty, in addition to wasting a lot of money.
Budget deficits grow from about $20B in the late 70s
to about $150B in the mid 80s. Reagan more than tripled
the national debt.
to about $150B in the mid 80s. Reagan more than tripled
the national debt.
Reagan told Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to produce
a report detailing the long-term physical and emotional trauma a woman
suffered as a result of having an abortion. Koop, an abortion
foe, but a good scientist, discovered that, in fact, a woman
did not suffer long-term physical or emotional trauma as a result
of having an abortion. Reagan suppressed the report.
a report detailing the long-term physical and emotional trauma a woman
suffered as a result of having an abortion. Koop, an abortion
foe, but a good scientist, discovered that, in fact, a woman
did not suffer long-term physical or emotional trauma as a result
of having an abortion. Reagan suppressed the report.
Reagan provided Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons.
Reagan's tax restructuring (massive cuts in 1981, followed
by tax increases in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987)
by tax increases in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987)
He also was very sly when he pretended to be for workers,but
transferred the tax burden from corporations and the wealthy to
the middle class and, especially, the working class poor.
transferred the tax burden from corporations and the wealthy to
the middle class and, especially, the working class poor.
When a Marine barracks was blown up by terrorists in Lebanon, Reagan
responded...by pulling American forces out of Lebanon and invading the
small Caribbean island of Grenada.
responded...by pulling American forces out of Lebanon and invading the
small Caribbean island of Grenada.
Reagan's attorney general was Ed Meese, who was investigated
by three different special prosecutors for involvement in three
different scandals. Over 100 Reagan appointees were convicted
of crimes committed while in office.
by three different special prosecutors for involvement in three
different scandals. Over 100 Reagan appointees were convicted
of crimes committed while in office.
Like I said, he appointed bad people and pursued bad policies.
I guess I am not a fan and this is only one side of his Presidency but I believe he did a lot of damage that we are still suffering from today.
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