Morning in America, and there's a homeless man on my doorstep

Ronald Reagan's legacy

Ok, here's my take. I hope to go into politics some day. And when I do, I will be using Reagan's economic policies as my guide. I do not feel that it is everyone's duty to take care of the poor. For that reason I disagree with welfare and unemployment income and social security. The modern welfare system destroyed much of the humanitarian spirit we once had. It has also destroyed the hard-work ethic. I disagree with progressive income tax. That is only stealing from the rich to feed the poor. Just because some people make more money does not mean they have a duty to their government to fund more money. I disagree with all government funded research except that necessary for the functions of government. And I believe that without a set, unchanging, immutable set of morals, no country can survive. Reagan is the only thing that held this country together after a long string of Democratic idiots.

And as these are self-evident reasons supported by centuries of history, the Reagan legacy will live strong and affect the future of our political thought for many more years.

Steven

 

The stem cell research issue was discussed today on MSNBC. Experts commented as to how it would not help those suffering from Alzheimer's.

As far as AIDS goes, what was President Reagan supposed to do? Put condoms on all of those engaging in unprotected premarital sex with multiple partners? Give drug addicts clean needles so that they could continue to abuse drugs? Doubt it.

I think plenty was done to educate the public about AIDS. I grew up in the 80's and remember the public school sex-ed classes they put us through each year starting in 7th grade. They scared us to death with vivid descriptions of STD's and the consequences of unprotected sex. What else could be done?

People knew what AIDS was and how they could catch it. It is not President Reagan's fault that many ignored the warnings. People today still ignore the warnings. It is reckless and unfair to blame the AIDS crisis on Reagan.

And what was Reagan supposed to do for poor people? Keep feeding them welfare so that they never need to work? Find them higher paying jobs? Nonsense! Anyone in this country has the opportunity to make good money. Some may need to work harder than others, but with education and dedication, anything is possible.

I guess my personal view is simple. We are all humans and Americans first. Labels such as latino, african, or greek American (etc, etc) only serve to divide us. We are are individuals and should be treated equally regardless of race. We can achieve anything we want to if we put our minds to it.

 

Re: Ronald Reagan's legacy

I agree completely! We often here equal protection arguments from the left, but it appears as if they only support equal protection when it benefits them. Abortion is an ultimiate equal protection violation, as is a progessive tax structure. A flat tax is the only fair way. I am not rich, but I hope to be someday. It would be unfair to 'reward' my hard work with a higher tax rate.

 

No. People have the right to be as tasteless as they want. However, it does expose their flawed character. I agree with Bruce. Whether you liked him or not, now is not the time to bash our deceased leader. He has not even been laid to rest yet.

 

Bush 04,

As you will read in my post, I did not bash President Reagan. I will not sing the praises of his presidency either. That is my right. I will, however, respect he and Mrs Reagan. We are on the same side. We are Americans.Now. as far as diversity. My wife is a latina. I am proud of that fact. I want my child to embrace both her culture( born in Louisiana, parents from Honduras) as well as mine. I think that have diversity is good as long as it is not used as a hammer against others. Remember, your ancestors came from somewhere too. Read my post, you will see that I am Democrat who respect Reagan. If you want my full take on Reagan, read Tip O'Neill's book , All Politics is Local


Learn to Disagree without Being Disagreeable



" Everone Knows that President Reagan and I had a lot of disagreements. Some of our arguments got pretty heated.

One time we were both going at it pretty good at a White House leadership breakfast and Al Simpson, the Republican whip, stopped us.

"You two Irishmen are confusing us", he said, " You give out all with all that Irish charm, telling stories and swapping joke, then you get in here and start all this fighting. I can't keep up"

Of course, the argument stopped. He was right. You have to learn to disagree without being disagreeble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Re: Ronald Reagan's legacy

 

O typo fecund!

Item: EVALULATE

Meaning (?): evaluate + ululate

 

Reagan had good and bad like anyone. Even Morris (IIRC) his biographer pointed out a problematic issue with some indifference to the poor in the sense that he felt they should get use solid work ethics to overcome their situation. He also let the deficeit get out of control.

On the other hand, he was a great communicator, quick witted, Presidential, statesman, and some give the credit for the later economic boom to his policies. His decency, down to earth genuiness, etc earned him many friends including Tip O'Neil.

What was interesting is that I hear or read some commentary about how this would effect the presidential race. The article said this did not come at a good time for Kerry but noted that democrats are already spinning this to their favor. It said they are painting themselves in the mold of Reagan and pointing out the GW Bush is not following in the steps of Reagan.

North

 

One can learn a lot about a person by observing them when the person thinks that no one else is watching.

It doesn't matter that Nancy Reagan most likely doesn't read this board. It's tacky and classless to take shots at a dead President while he's lying in state.

You have the rest of your life to criticize President Reagan. Show a little of the "compassion" and "tolerance" that you liberals love to talk about so much, and let the man be buried first.

 

As an aside and nothing to do with this, I have observed liberals to be some of the least tolerant people around. They seem to be more often angry and made at someone for holding oppsoing views. I think of the many cases of conservative who go to seak at college campuses and cannot speak due to people shouting at them, etc. Someone remarked after he experienced this that it was so sad that universities were no longer the place to exchane ideas they once were.

In general I find conservatives more willing to engage in debate about ideas and less given to intolerance.

North

 

They are.

I meant my remarks as a needle to Tom. Liberals only demonstrate "compassion" and "tolerance" if you agree with them.

 

As an aside, I actually met President Reagan, and shook his hand. I attended Fork Union Military Academy for high school.

In 1982 (I think), the White House callled my school and requested some cadets to stand behind the President with American flags while he gave a speech. I was one of the cadets selected, and I must say that it did look impressive.

Afterwards, President Reagan went down the line of cadets, shook our hands, and told us how much he appreciated us being there. I was so in awe of him that I couldn't formulate a response. I just stood there with my mouth wide-open.

 

Nice Reagan photo

This is one of the best photos I've ever seen of President Reagan.

 

It's "tacky" and "classless" to you. Many others would disagree with you. Newspapers (at least in these parts) have been discussing his presidency, both the good and the bad, at length. Should newspapers suspend all criticism until after he's buried?

How ironic that you all (conservatives) ridicule the left for showing compassion and tolerance selectively. Would you now argue that the right wing is known for its compassion and tolerance? That would be quite a stretch. It's a bit irrational to criticize the left for lack of compassion, when your party (the far right part at least) is notorious for a lack of compassion, unless of course you fit into the tidy little niche (the shining city on the hill - Morning in America BS) that Reagan himself outlined so effectively.

However, you're right. I don't show a lot of compassion for narrow minded, ignorant views. I have almost no compassion for racists, child molesters, or fascist dictators either (and I am not calling conservatives any of these - merely making a point).

Reagan is anathema in these parts. I grew up in Berkeley, where he sent in the National Guard to tear gas students for what were justified demonstrations (ask Robert McNamara). One student was shot and killed by the National Guard. Reagan helped force out one of the greatest university presidents this country has seen (Clark Kerr). He enlisted the help of the FBI to sharply divide the faculty at UC Berkeley.

We now know that the demonstrations here were justified and correct. There was plenty to protest about the war in Viet Nam. Even most conservatives acknowledge this. Unfortunately, Reagan acted out of fear and ignorance.

He succeeded in demonizing the lower class (all those welfare frauds are stealing money from your paycheck). His deeds turned people out into the streets. A whole new generation now has grown up (and died) on the streets. He opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Here in California, he opposed a measure that would have outlawed discrimination in housing. He refused federal funding for AIDS until near the end of his presidency. More fear and ignorance at work.

All in all, President Reagan didn't show a lot of compassion for many Americans. He was ruled by narrow minded and ignorant beliefs. Apparently, though, that appealed to a lot of people.

Isn’t it ironic that he convinced so many that the source of their troubles rested with a leeching welfare class, and a government that was stealing their money. Here we are 20 years later, and the problems are worse. Most of us still have a problem making ends meet. The middle class is dissolving into the lower class, and the very rich are very much richer. There are more people living below the poverty level than ever. Perhaps those leeching minorities weren’t really the problem, were they? Maybe you all should look a little deeper and figure out whether your shining conservative father-figure really was looking out for your best interests. Unfortunately, we have George Bush essentially peddling the same crap. Tax cuts (in the face of wild defense spending) will make the world a better place. You know what, if you want a truly shining city on a hill, you have to pay for it, and you have to quit blaming others for the fact it ain’t been built yet.

Oh, but sorry, I should have waited until he was buried.

 

Anyone with a shred of class would have.

 

Bruce,

I must say this. I have mentioned before on this board that Tip O'Neill is one of my three heroes. You have reacted with class to that. I know that you probably dont care for him, but you have not slandered him or his name. I want to thank you for that. Remember also that we all can get along. I respect you and you me...our differences make us unique. Thanks for the class shown in this reguard.

 

As a matter of fact, YES! The left is the most intolerant and uncompassionate group on the face of the earth.

 

In the words of your hero,

"There you go again."

With the damage he did in these parts, the truth trumps class every time. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

 

That doesn't really answer the question, does it?

Go get a dictionary, and look up the word "hyperbole." Then think about your post and how silly it sounds. Then when you're done being offended, rewrite a more sensible post. You might want to include some examples to make your post sound less like reactionary and silly hogwash. Oh but there I go again, being intolerant. Yes, exactly, intolerant of asinine comments and ransacked thought processes.

 

I disagreed with many of Tip's viewpoints, but I certainly respected him as a man and as an American.

Ironically, Tip & Ronald Reagan were good friends outside the political arena. They were similar in more than one way, they were both gregarious Irishmen who loved a good story & a good joke, and they never made politics personal. On at least one St. Patrick's Day, Reagan held a party for O'Neill in the White House.