Ronald Reagan. Greatest US President since W W 2

[drfranger]

we could perhaps note that Reagan faced a disintegrating empire in the form of the USSR, whichhad been aggressively contained by presidents from Truman's onwards - note Truman really was the architect of Soviet Policy

Reagan sped it up and deserves credit for that but he is no hero

The bad things he did make his effort there pale in comparison

But all respect and condolences to his family

[Donny]

MG, " .. his greatest achievement, removing the evil torturous and murderous cloke of communism from Eastern Europe." ??????

Mate, your comments on footy and Collingwood are usually quite well informed and knowledgeable. If the above statement is satirical, it has merit. If not I must wonder what version of history you study.

By the way, what does 'ongers' mean ?

[Pa Marmo]

I agree wholeheartedly Magpie Greg. He was great for his country and even though shot right at the begining of his first term he flinched away from his task at hand

[piedys]

Just for old times sake..........

President Reagan
1980 Campaign Poster

[commonwombat]

Most influential president since WW2 ?? Quite possibly.

Greatest ??? Open to debate.

A lot of purple prose has been written in some sections of the media eulogising him with similarly unbalanced denunciations from the other side of the spectrum.

As a communicator; his ability to portray an image and put across a message could only be rivalled by F.D Roosevelt and JFK in US history. The value of that particluar message may be open to debate, depending on your viewpoint.

His legacy to my mind, is open to question. As a domestic president, the legacy of a number of his policies has been debateable with the economic boom never reaching large sectors of the population and despite his massive cuts to social spending, the blow-out on defence spending meant record deficits.

Some, like MG, trumpet him as a savior and as the winner of the Cold War and conqueror of the Soviet "Evil Empire". I cannot be bothered questioning their ideological fervour and God knows nothing will change people's opinion.

To my mind, his defence policies DID bring about an arms race that only one side could win. The economic ramifications were self evident. A sole factor ?? Not sure; we have to also realise the 80's also saw a generational change in the leadership not only in the USSR but in other parts of the Eastern bloc. Timing, I feel was also a significant factor.

Question is, to my mind, is are we any safer as a legacy of Ronald Wilson Reagan ?? Not really. One major recogniseable threat, that of global thermo-nuclear war may have abated but has been replaced by a number of others arguably more difficult to police. The parity of 2 superpowers has been replaced with a US hegemony with has even long term allies and friends wary of how it asserts it's dominance.

I have no ideological barrows to push on this issue. The man is dead and let him rest in peace and let history be his ultimate judge; preferably after all his cheerleaders AND his detractors have passed into history too.

[rand corp]

Will be remembered for his 'Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall' speech more than any other and given credit for presiding over the world's capitalist superpower during the fall of communism. The fact that communism largely doesn't work, that the USSR was effectively broke and riddled with corruption and that backroom forces and diplomicy had more to do with it will be largely overlooked.

Doesn't excuse the appalling Iran/Contra scandal for which he went largely unpunished and his governments arming and funding of what would today be called terrorists in South America.

[Donny]

Greatest U.S. President since WW2 ??

Shouldn't that read "Greatest U.S. puppet President ever" ? Or the most obvious at least.

We know Nancy used to pull Ronnie's strings but it's who was pulling hers that's more pertinent.

I wonder if ANY U.S. President since WW2 has actually had much input into any speeches they made/make.

[Dr Alf Andrews]

Maggots Reagan is currently in hell ...

[Pa Marmo]

Good point Magfan me thinks you are on to something there.

[Donny]

Dr Alf and MG,

This topic is about Ronald Reagan not communism.

I know the Pies aren't playing this week and many Nickheads are restless but the rule of thumb still applies to posting.

The 6 posts I deleted from this thread were of no interest to anyone but you two and had no reference to Reagan.

If you want to insult each other, do so in private please.

[Dr Alf Andrews]

[bokka]

Speaking of communism, nick's BB seems to be being run rather like the USSR these days. To think Vic Tavern used to be an uncensored anonymous free-for-all.
Sign of the times I suppose.

[London Dave]

In a sense perhaps Bokka, it's just that we only have home grown trolls now!

[FunkyPieMaster]

Had it not been for Vietnam I think LBJ would have been the best. Unfortunately good social policy was combined with an unpopular and unnecessary war. Something a current president should consider ....

[commonwombat]

Interesting points FPM.

LBJ was an outstanding domestic president and would have legitimately been rated amongst the greats, bar for the legacy of the Vietnam War which spun out of control in all facets during his time in office.