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In 1968, when Ted Kennedy eulogized his brother, Robert, he spoke these simple words: "My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life". Today as America mourns the death of former President Ronald Reagan, the myths that have been manufactured by the conservative propaganda machine in the 15 years since he left office have emerged full blown in the American psyche as fact. Unlike Robert Kennedy, Reagan is being eulogized far beyond what he was in life.
This weekend was supposed to be a remembrance of the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, the gallant crusade to rid the world of Hitler in which thousands of young American men gave their lives. And where was Reagan on the fateful day? Like fellow conservative icon, John Wayne, Reagan spent the World War II, America's time of greatest need, hiding out in Hollywood. Many actors at the time such as Jimmy Stewart suspended their careers to serve their country during those years, but Reagan chose to play it safe by making training films.
In the 1950s during the fear mongering of the McCarthy years, Reagan chose not to stand up for freedom. Instead he became an enabler, helping build the infamous Hollywood blacklist that destroyed the careers and life’s of many innocent people in the film industry.
As President, Reagan's main accomplishment was to almost triple the National Debt from $1 Trillion in 1981 to $2.8 Trillion when he left office in 1989. This debt was incurred through the irresponsible combination of massive tax cuts for the rich and increased (and unnecessary) military spending. The interest on that debt we are still paying today and will be for generations to come.
While a very few got rich, many more Americans suffered from poverty and homeless in the 1980s all thanks to Reagan's economic policies and his gutting of social programs. Even the vaunted economic boom of the 80s was built on smoke and mirrors, lasting less than 5 five years, ending with the inevitable crash of the Stock Market on October 19, 1987.
On the international front, Reagan trained and financed both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Mistakes that are still costing American lives today. His deployment of troops and the subsequent pullout from Beirut only angered and emboldened our enemies in the Arab world. And let’s not even talk about the arms for hostages debacle. Reagan's cowboy approach to the foreign affairs gave rise to resentment and distrust of out European & NATO allies, which still exists in Europe today.
Reagan did have his moments as President. When the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up, his eloquence helped sooth a shocked and grieving nation. But of course Reagan failed to mention that his administration insisted the Challenger be launched that cold January day so they would be in orbit during Reagan's State of the Union address.
The biggest myth about Reagan is that he won the Cold War. This fails to acknowledge that communism is completely unworkable as an economic system. But the myth goes that since Reagan increased military spending, the USSR was forced to do so as well resulting in the Soviets bankrupting themselves. The truth is very different. As confirmed by the CIA in the early ‘90s, the Soviet Union did not increase defense spending in the 1980. In fact, Military expenditures remained at the same level as in the 1970s during the Carter presidency. Reagan’s policies didn’t end the Cold War but prolonged it for several more years.
The truth is that Reagan was a poor to mediocre President who left us with a huge National debt and caused many of the international problems that still plague us to this day. He shouldn’t be idolized or enlarged in death. He doesn’t deserve to be.
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