We Need Another Reagan

[just-want-peace]

No, neither. I just remember what it was like trying to work as a machinist here in Houston during the 1980s. It would be difficult to find one that supported or even liked Reagan. I worked with an Inspector at a plant who celebrated the day of Reagan's death every year. He celebrated it openly. I thought that was wrong and did not participate. This does however show the overall attitude in some of the machine shops in Houston during this time.

I would like to know some specifics for this attitude.
I really question someone who would celebrate the DEATH of a long since out of office president - smacks more of a little kid who's mama made him wash his hands before dinner, than a legitimate gripe about an action or policy of a president.
I truly don't think your acquaintance could despise Reagan any more than I do the current president, yet I MOST CERTAINLY have no wish for his death! Out of office, ABSOLUTELY, and the sooner the better, but death-------- ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

 

[Robert Snow]

You mean union machinist. Definitely a Socialist like yourself.

I love machinist's unions alright, but this shop was not union. Much too small.

 

[Robert Snow]

I would like to know some specifics for this attitude.
I really question someone who would celebrate the DEATH of a long since out of office president -

I agree. I said I didn't participate with him in anything in this regard. It was mostly him complaining about Reagan's presidency. Another thing, many workers in this shop was from Viet Nam and did not speak English well, if at all. There were also a few from South of the border who spoke Spanish much better than English.

 

[Aaron]

I love machinist's unions alright, but this shop was not union. Much too small.

Okay, pro-union, then. Again, still a Socialist like yourself.

 

[saturneptune]

As usual, I enjoy reading what you post, SaturnNeptune, and find you to be a great poster. However, on this one you can't be serious.

Neither Johnson nor Carter were as bad as Nixon, who rivaled Warren G. Harding. Both of those Presidents (Republicans, by the way) were awash in controversy. Of course, Nixon was the one who had to resign in disgrace, and most likely would have faced trial had he not been pardoned by Gerald Ford.

If you want to talk about fiscal nightmares, let's not forget Humphrey or George Walker Bush (also Republicans). Both had policies that gave us the financial messes that are now a part of history.

IMO, Bush (43) is the worst President ever - not just the 20th century - though the current President is really shaping up to take that moniker away from W. The Bush Administration gave us this financial mess (and YES, it IS their fault). They gave us an endless war in Iraq that is bleeding us to death monetarily. The Bush Administration appointees at the SEC sat back when the people who created the mortgage fiasco (and in some cases outright fraud) claimed that they were exempt from regulations under the Securities Act of 1933 so the SEC had no jurisdiction. Don't forget that it was during the Bush Administration that the uptick rule was eliminated (2007). Even Cox himself (in 2008) supported the reinstatement of this rule. Also, remember that the Bush Administration spent more money than the first 42 Presidents combined. Bush reportedly admitted that he was not abiding by the laws outlined with FISA (John Dean has written about this at length, accusing him of an impeachable offense). It is going to take us YEARS to clean up the mess that was left by W.

That being said (or written), the current President is seemingly set to take this title of "Worst President" using the same criteria I have listed above. At the rate we appear to be going, it is going to take even longer.

As far as Reagan, I have never really understood this seemingly godlike status he has received. I liked him as President (I was a Republican back then), but I don't remember him being more than a good President. If you believe Paul O'Neill, Cheney is reported to have said that Reagan taught us that "deficits don't matter." [See the book "The Price of Loyalty"] I think that Reagan's moment of brilliance was leaving Paul Volcker at the Federal Reserve (who was initially appointed by Jimmy Carter, by the way). I don't think that Volcker gets enough credit for fixing our economy - especially given the hard decisions he had to make.

Hope all is well with you and yours, SaturnNeptune, it's been a while.
BiR

Thanks for the kind words. I suppose the reason LBJ disguists me is his sacrificing thousands of American lives on a false premise. He too had corruption in the form of Billy Sol Estes. As far as Carter goes, it was a job above his ability. Really, there was nothing inherently evil about him.

I will agree that Bush the Second was terrible. He left the economy and foreign policy in shambles. The fact is though, his successor is probably, as you said, the story is still being written.

I know very little about Harding other than the Tea Pot Dome scandal, and that he died in office. Nixon could have been an excellent President, as he had the skill. Paraonia, distrust of the American people, and power were his downfall. He was a curious mix of good and bad. I actually got to shake his hand once.

You ask why Reagan was rated a good President. I think a lot of it is that the interest rates for homes were so high when Carter left office (15%), and under his administration, they came down. He also rebuilt a gutted military.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Thanks for the kind words.

No problem at all - despite our political differences, we have a common bond in our Lord and Savior.

I suppose the reason LBJ disguists me is his sacrificing thousands of American lives on a false premise. He too had corruption in the form of Billy Sol Estes. As far as Carter goes, it was a job above his ability. Really, there was nothing inherently evil about him.

Wouldn't disagree with you on LBJ. Many incorrectly attribute the welfare state to FDR. That is completely false - under FDR one had to work for their check. It was LBJ that better fits the description as the father of the welfare state.

As for Jimmy Carter, I would agree on both counts. I have often wondered if those who voted for Carter were actually voting against the perceived corruption of a political party. If you believe what he writes (specifically the book "Our Endangered Values"), then it sure seems as though Carter is a Believer. He certainly gave a clear picture of salvation.

You ask why Reagan was rated a good President. I think a lot of it is that the interest rates for homes were so high when Carter left office (15%), and under his administration, they came down. He also rebuilt a gutted military.

IMO that was more a function of Volcker - who was appointed Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank. Reagan reappointed him, and the high rates were - again in my opinion - the result of Volcker and the Board of Governors raising the rate at the discount window, in an attempt to control the money supply. I know that many believe this was caused by Nixon taking the US off the gold standard in 1971. It certainly seem plausible, but who knows?

Again, great post. I always look forward to reading your thoughts.

Have a great Sunday,
BiR

 

[Magnetic Poles]

Another Reagan? You loved those tax hikes I guess. I could absolutely get behind Ron Reagan Jr. though.

 

[Robert Snow]

Another Reagan? You loved those tax hikes I guess. I could absolutely get behind Ron Reagan Jr. though.

Yes, he's the one Reagan I could support! :thumbs:

 

[carpro]

You ask why Reagan was rated a good President. I think a lot of it is that the interest rates for homes were so high when Carter left office (15%), and under his administration, they came down. He also rebuilt a gutted military.

I think that, deep down, it's a lot simpler than that. we can talk about the economy and wars and never agree.

What I miss about Reagan is his leadership and ability to get things done, his faith in the American people, and his love of all things american.

Obama doesn't share any of those traits. Neither did Carter.

 

[Robert Snow]

I think that, deep down, it's a lot simpler than that. we can talk about the economy and wars and never agree.

What I miss about Reagan is his leadership and ability to get things done, his faith in the American people, and his love of all things american.

Obama doesn't share any of those traits. Neither did Carter.

How do you know that at least some of this was not acting on Reagan's part?

 

[carpro]

How do you know that at least some of this was not acting on Reagan's part?

I consider that weak response an admission by you that Obama and Carter did not share those traits.

Some things you just can't fake.

 

[Alcott]

How do you know that at least some of this was not acting on Reagan's part?

Acting is one of the most essential requirements of a successful politician and I don't know of another professional actor who was president. It is a poor characterization of American politics to say the best actor wins, but it's largely true.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Acting is one of the most essential requirements of a successful politician and I don't know of another professional actor who was president. It is a poor characterization of American politics to say the best actor wins, but it's largely true.

Hmmmmmm......
That's actually a pretty good point - applicable to both sides of the aisle.

Regards,
BiR