One reason I believe Ronald Reagan was a great President

[Red Dawn]

One thing to keep in mind was how demoralized we were as a country before Reagan. We just lost the Viet Nam war less than a decade earlier, we had the most corrupt president of the 20th Century run out of office, we had a weak president in Carter (though probably one of the best ex presidents) and we were just humliated by a bunch of third world butt pickers in Iran. Reagan made us proud to be Americans again. That and his role in the downfall of the Soviet Union makes him a Successful President in my book, whether I agreed with his policies at the time or not. And I'm definately not a Republican Suck Ass.

 

[ProfessorFate]

Figured I'd chime in with my view of Reagan. He took over for a bumbling Jimmy Carter in 1980. Inflation was sky-high, interest rates were to the moon, and the Cold war was so bad when Reagan took over, Carter had boycotted the Moscow olympics. America was a laughing stock and was in desperate need of some pride. Remember the hostages?
Ronald Reagan/George Bush Sr restored pride in America, revitalized the economy, won the cold war over the Soviet Union, and saw the fall of the Berlin Wall. America was so prosperous when Clinton took over he rode the wave for 8 years despite his extra carricular escapades in the oval office. Don't ask don't tell might be Clinton's most well known achievement. If Clinton would have dealt with terrorism more aggresively while in office 9-11 might not have occured.

A good visit is the Ronald Reagan library in Simi Valley (SoCal), it put's the man's tremendous achievements in perspective.

*end rant*

 

[outriding]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrisonThe huge deficits where from spending by an out of control congress( and they are still out of control).
Yes alot was spent on the military during the reagan years, but alot of pork was spent as well.

Typical Reagan apologist response. Credit Reagan with all the good things and blame the Congress for all the bad things. Reagan signed and/or hasn't vetoed those spending bills. He is responsible for this spending just as much as the Congress if not more. If he didn't know where the buck stopped, he cannot be considered a great president.

I wont disagree with you about him not using the veto when he should have. It would have been nice if he could have got the military spending he wanted out of the democratic congress without the extra pork. The deficits have been growing out of control for the past 20+ years no matter who is in the president/senate/house.

Clinton... You didn't really think I was going to let it slip? 😀

Only one problem with that. Even with the republican keeping the books "balanced" during the clinton years, the debt still grew. If money makes it to DC, it get spent on something.

the prez is the one who does sign for everything he is the man responsible for everything...

here is some of the things clinton did for the deficit ..

Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion ? the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.

Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.

( reagan had star wars his spending was over the top )




http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-01.html

 

[JellyBaby]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
One thing to keep in mind was how demoralized we were as a country before Reagan. We just lost the Viet Nam war less than a decade earlier, we had the most corrupt president of the 20th Century run out of office, we had a weak president in Carter (though probably one of the best ex presidents) and we were just humliated by a bunch of third world butt pickers in Iran. Reagan made us proud to be Americans again. That and his role in the downfall of the Soviet Union makes him a Successful President in my book, whether I agreed with his policies at the time or not. And I'm definately not a Republican Suck Ass.

Well put Red. Posts like that one make me think you're not as dull-headed and single-minded as some might claim you to be. And, yes, I realize you don't give a Flying Fart what I think. 😉

 

[Red Dawn]

Don't ask don't tell might be Clinton's most well known achievement. If Clinton would have dealt with terrorism more aggresively while in office 9-11 might not have occured

If your aunt had testicles she'd be your uncle

 

[Red Dawn]

Well put Red. Posts like that one make me think you're not as dull-headed and single-minded as some might claim you to be

They are just jealous🙂

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I prefer Abe Lincoln, but that's just how I think

 

[PG]

he prez is the one who does sign for everything he is the man responsible for everything...

here is some of the things clinton did for the deficit ..

Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion ? the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.

Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.

( reagan had star wars his spending was over the top )

Can't argue with facts, but where did those spending cuts go? I believe the military was one area that got the axe along with the CIA and FBI. Now look where we are.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: outriding

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrisonThe huge deficits where from spending by an out of control congress( and they are still out of control).
Yes alot was spent on the military during the reagan years, but alot of pork was spent as well.

Typical Reagan apologist response. Credit Reagan with all the good things and blame the Congress for all the bad things. Reagan signed and/or hasn't vetoed those spending bills. He is responsible for this spending just as much as the Congress if not more. If he didn't know where the buck stopped, he cannot be considered a great president.

I wont disagree with you about him not using the veto when he should have. It would have been nice if he could have got the military spending he wanted out of the democratic congress without the extra pork. The deficits have been growing out of control for the past 20+ years no matter who is in the president/senate/house.

Clinton... You didn't really think I was going to let it slip? 😀

Only one problem with that. Even with the republican keeping the books "balanced" during the clinton years, the debt still grew. If money makes it to DC, it get spent on something.

the prez is the one who does sign for everything he is the man responsible for everything...

here is some of the things clinton did for the deficit ..

Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion ? the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.

Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.

( reagan had star wars his spending was over the top )




http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-01.html

What year did the national debt actually go down?



Debt by year.

09/28/2001 $5,807,463,412,200.06
09/29/2000 $5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 $5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 $5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 $5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 $5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 $4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 $4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 $4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 $4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 $3,665,303,351,697.03
09/28/1990 $3,233,313,451,777.25
09/29/1989 $2,857,430,960,187.32
09/30/1988 $2,602,337,712,041.16
09/30/1987 $2,350,276,890,953.00

Notice how every year the numbers get bigger.

 

[Kerouactivist]

The only thing good about Reagan, is that throughout his presidency he didn't know who or where he was most of the time, which lessened the damage of his policies. 🙂 IMHO

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: outriding

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrisonThe huge deficits where from spending by an out of control congress( and they are still out of control).
Yes alot was spent on the military during the reagan years, but alot of pork was spent as well.

Typical Reagan apologist response. Credit Reagan with all the good things and blame the Congress for all the bad things. Reagan signed and/or hasn't vetoed those spending bills. He is responsible for this spending just as much as the Congress if not more. If he didn't know where the buck stopped, he cannot be considered a great president.

I wont disagree with you about him not using the veto when he should have. It would have been nice if he could have got the military spending he wanted out of the democratic congress without the extra pork. The deficits have been growing out of control for the past 20+ years no matter who is in the president/senate/house.

Clinton... You didn't really think I was going to let it slip? 😀

Only one problem with that. Even with the republican keeping the books "balanced" during the clinton years, the debt still grew. If money makes it to DC, it get spent on something.

the prez is the one who does sign for everything he is the man responsible for everything...

here is some of the things clinton did for the deficit ..

Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion ? the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.

Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.

( reagan had star wars his spending was over the top )




http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-01.html

What year did the national debt actually go down?



Debt by year.

09/28/2001 $5,807,463,412,200.06
09/29/2000 $5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 $5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 $5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 $5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 $5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 $4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 $4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 $4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 $4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 $3,665,303,351,697.03
09/28/1990 $3,233,313,451,777.25
09/29/1989 $2,857,430,960,187.32
09/30/1988 $2,602,337,712,041.16
09/30/1987 $2,350,276,890,953.00

Notice how every year the numbers get bigger.

I believe adjusted for inflation, the debt went down.

 

[BL0RT]

dude one of my high school history teachers refuses to drive on the reagan freeway or set foot in reagan international airport. often times in class he would yell "RONALD REAGAN IS A BASTARD!" heheh good times

 

[Pooteh]

he proved that americans will only sometimes retaliate when americans are killed😛 didn't he pull out with his tail between his legs when our army barracks were bombed and tons of marines were killed? 😛

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: outriding

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: charrisonThe huge deficits where from spending by an out of control congress( and they are still out of control).
Yes alot was spent on the military during the reagan years, but alot of pork was spent as well.

Typical Reagan apologist response. Credit Reagan with all the good things and blame the Congress for all the bad things. Reagan signed and/or hasn't vetoed those spending bills. He is responsible for this spending just as much as the Congress if not more. If he didn't know where the buck stopped, he cannot be considered a great president.

I wont disagree with you about him not using the veto when he should have. It would have been nice if he could have got the military spending he wanted out of the democratic congress without the extra pork. The deficits have been growing out of control for the past 20+ years no matter who is in the president/senate/house.

Clinton... You didn't really think I was going to let it slip? 😀

Only one problem with that. Even with the republican keeping the books "balanced" during the clinton years, the debt still grew. If money makes it to DC, it get spent on something.

the prez is the one who does sign for everything he is the man responsible for everything...

here is some of the things clinton did for the deficit ..

Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion ? the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.

Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.

( reagan had star wars his spending was over the top )




http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-01.html

What year did the national debt actually go down?



Debt by year.

09/28/2001 $5,807,463,412,200.06
09/29/2000 $5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 $5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 $5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 $5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 $5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 $4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 $4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 $4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 $4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 $3,665,303,351,697.03
09/28/1990 $3,233,313,451,777.25
09/29/1989 $2,857,430,960,187.32
09/30/1988 $2,602,337,712,041.16
09/30/1987 $2,350,276,890,953.00

Notice how every year the numbers get bigger.

I believe adjusted for inflation, the debt went down.

Then you could probably just as easily say that that with growth in GDP and offsetting for inflation, the debt has been shrinking every year. I do beleive this is very close to true.

 

[HendrixFan]

Using the Daily History of the Debt found here, you can see that in Nov 98, the debt sat at $5.6 trillion and by June 00 (when Clinton was giving his farewell address at the DNC) it was at $5.64 trillion. By June of 01, with Bush firmly in office and the country in a recession the debt sat at $5.64 trillion. Looking at the numbers already posted (based on year to date debt), it doesnt show the virtual flatline we had on the debt, because fluctuations skew the data. Of course, you have to remember that Bush's tax cut in 2001 was retroactive to 2000, with the rebate checks. Im sure that tinkered with the numbers some, though it still maintained a virtual standstill.

Now looking at the beginning of the available data, in a similar 32 month span from Jan 93 to Jul 95 the debt went from $4.1 trillion to $4.96, nearly a 25% increase.

I think this all gets back to the point that much of the Reagan era economic prosperity was due to deficit spending.

 

[shazbot]

Originally posted by: ProfessorFate

Ronald Reagan/George Bush Sr restored pride in America, revitalized the economy, won the cold war over the Soviet Union, and saw the fall of the Berlin Wall. America was so prosperous when Clinton took over he rode the wave for 8 years despite his extra carricular escapades in the oval office. Don't ask don't tell might be Clinton's most well known achievement. If Clinton would have dealt with terrorism more aggresively while in office 9-11 might not have occured.

what the... you've gota be joking. Reagan/Bush did not revitalize the economy, the friggin internet revolution did, and clinton rode on it, and didn't screw anything up.

 

[ProfessorFate]

the friggin internet revolution did

You mean that big internet revolution from 1980-1988 I guess. 😉

 

[HendrixFan]

Looking at the GDP growth from those years, the economy wasnt that stable the first half of Reagan's term. When you understand the impact massive deficit spending can have on the economy, you can see what the main culprit was.

GDP Growth
1980 - 0.2%
1981 - 2.5%
1982 - (-2.0%)
1983 - 4.3%
1984 - 7.3%
1985 - 3.8%
1986 - 3.4%
1987 - 3.4%
1988 - 4.2%

Now the debt was $900 billion to start 1981. By then end of 1982 it was $1.2 trillion, good for 30% growth over the two year span Reagan was in office. Then from the start of 1983 to the end of 1988 it went up to $2.6 trillion, a growth of 130% over a six year span. In total, it nearly tripled in the 8 years Reagan was in office.

Unemployment was at 7.1% in 1980, when Reagan was elected. In 1983 it spiked at 9.6% (!), and slowly worked down to 5.5% by 1988.

Unemployment
1980 - 7.1
1981 - 7.6
1982 - 9.7
1983 - 9.6
1984 - 7.5
1985 - 7.2
1986 - 7.0
1987 - 6.2
1988 - 5.5

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: rufruf44
All I know is that during Reagan presidency, US is in recession and the economic is not doing so great. This might have to do with the massive cold war as well.

You may want to re-read that history then re-examine your statement. The expansion that we rode right through Bush 1 and Clinton's 8 years began under Ronald Reagan.

You might want to re-read history. The main reason Clinton won in 92 was because of the economy. The US\world was in a reciession at the time.

Didn't Reagan's bg tax cuts and massive military spending lead to high federal deficits and interest rates?

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: rufruf44
All I know is that during Reagan presidency, US is in recession and the economic is not doing so great. This might have to do with the massive cold war as well.

You may want to re-read that history then re-examine your statement. The expansion that we rode right through Bush 1 and Clinton's 8 years began under Ronald Reagan.

Considering I was born in 1980, I don't really remember TOO much about Regan b/c when your that age you don't give a flying sh!t about politics. But from what I've read about the man, and from the parodies I've seen of him his second term was pretty much an emodiment of the fact that he was failing mentally and that he wasn't really calling the shots anymore...

This is one thing I hate about liberals. The president has a cabinet and advisors for a reason. I would have more concern if a president ignored the cabinet completely than if the president took every bit of advice given by the cabinet. Reagan was quoted as saying " I don't care who gets the credit, lets just get it done."

Dont base you knowledge of Reagan on SNL skits, try getting a book and reading some history. Reagan is going to be remembered as one of the great presidents of all time by historians.

Your liberal bashing is tedious. Stop it.
It has always amazed me how the Reagan apologists shift the blame from Reagan to the people around him.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
One thing to keep in mind was how demoralized we were as a country before Reagan. We just lost the Viet Nam war less than a decade earlier, we had the most corrupt president of the 20th Century run out of office, we had a weak president in Carter (though probably one of the best ex presidents) and we were just humliated by a bunch of third world butt pickers in Iran. Reagan made us proud to be Americans again. That and his role in the downfall of the Soviet Union makes him a Successful President in my book, whether I agreed with his policies at the time or not. And I'm definately not a Republican Suck Ass.

Originally posted by: ProfessorFate
Figured I'd chime in with my view of Reagan. He took over for a bumbling Jimmy Carter in 1980. Inflation was sky-high, interest rates were to the moon, and the Cold war was so bad when Reagan took over, Carter had boycotted the Moscow olympics. America was a laughing stock and was in desperate need of some pride. Remember the hostages?
Ronald Reagan/George Bush Sr restored pride in America, revitalized the economy, won the cold war over the Soviet Union, and saw the fall of the Berlin Wall. America was so prosperous when Clinton took over he rode the wave for 8 years despite his extra carricular escapades in the oval office. Don't ask don't tell might be Clinton's most well known achievement. If Clinton would have dealt with terrorism more aggresively while in office 9-11 might not have occured.

A good visit is the Ronald Reagan library in Simi Valley (SoCal), it put's the man's tremendous achievements in perspective.

*end rant*

What these guys said. 🙂

Reagan wasn't perfect, but he was the right guy in the right place at the right time for America.

 

[B00ne]

All I remember from the Reagan pesidency was: As a little Kid when I was going to sleep - if I would wake up again the next morning. Maybe a victim to east german(russian) propaganda but as I know now All over Europe alot of ppl were in fear at that time....
Dunno if he was great he certainly is in my memory as very scary

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: BL0RT
dude one of my high school history teachers refuses to drive on the reagan freeway or set foot in reagan international airport. often times in class he would yell "RONALD REAGAN IS A BASTARD!" heheh good times

Just think of that the next time you see one of those "We Teach the Children" bumper stickers.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: rufruf44
All I know is that during Reagan presidency, US is in recession and the economic is not doing so great. This might have to do with the massive cold war as well.

You may want to re-read that history then re-examine your statement. The expansion that we rode right through Bush 1 and Clinton's 8 years began under Ronald Reagan.

You might want to re-read history. The main reason Clinton won in 92 was because of the economy. The US\world was in a reciession at the time.

Didn't Reagan's bg tax cuts and massive military spending lead to high federal deficits and interest rates?

The main reason Clinton won in 92 was Ross Perot. That combined with GW Bush's lackadaisical campaign and a very mild recession was enough to put Bill Clinton in office. Clinton's campaign was masterful in portraying Bush as being out of touch with the common voter and that combined with Ross Perot pulling away enough "Reagan Democrats" to carry 19% of the popular vote did George Bush in. The ironic thing is that the mild recession of 1991-1992 ended before the actual election although it would not be seen until the econimic indicators were released a month or so after the election.

 

[jjones]

Being born in 1960, I've lived through a few presidents. After the debacle of the Vietnam era, culminating with Nixon and the Watergate fiasco, then followed by the weak presidencies of Ford and Carter, Reagan was exactly what America needed to regain its strength, vitality and credibility in the world. For all his faults, and the faults of his administration, without the strength of his convictions America would still have been weak-kneed, doubtful superpower unsure of what direction it was taking. Of the nine presidents so far in my lifetime, Reagan stands well above any others in having a beneficial impact on the life of the average American and putting America back on the path of playing from strength.

And I say this not having liked Reagan much during his presidency. I always thought him borderline ultra-conservative.