Ronald Reagan - A Great President or A Teflon Crook?

Question

I feel that he was "A Great Communicator" because he knew how to act.

Many find it hard to believe he knew nothing of the Iran-Contra scandal. Something about knowing the former president sold weapons to Iran so they would convince, "Hezbollah" to release American hostages does not sit well with me. Whats even worse is the funding the Nicaraguan group who started the "Crack Epidemic" in our country.

Reagan was always able to deny knowledge of the many controversies in his administration, and appologize, and people acted like the situations never happened. Kind of reminds me of someone else.

I hear people say he was compassionate, but he was constantly trying to cut funding for social programs, i.e. Headstart.

He completely ignored the AIDS epidemic until it started effecting the "straight and white" community.

He did make the rich, richer though!!!

I do not feel all aspects of his administaton were negative, but the greatest president - "I Think Not!"

Debate the fact people - Was Iran-Contra a fairytale? Like I said....he was not all bad....but far fromt he greatest!!! He did try to cut program for children, Anyone who worked for the federal Headstart Program did not get a raise for 12 years....1980-1992. Don't Just say "he was a good man" provide backup!!!!

I am not a fan of Clinton!!! Sure...I'll post a Billy Clint qestion next.

Answer 1

Reagan was an actor and has changed the way Americans and everyone around the world will get to see presidents.

His running mate was the brains behind Iran-Contra. While this secured the election we still suffer from the fall out, The struggle with Iraq, Iran's foe, is the reference here. That is not saying that these problems are solely from his administration. It made me mad when Bush became vice-president in stead of going to jail.

He had to cut Head-start to fund Star Wars, which by the way a name stolen and no royalties paid.

And for everything else, it was about getting the vote and nothing else. Remember this. Ronald Reagan was NOT president. His wife wasn't either. It was Nancy's psychic who ran the country.

Good luck to everyone that one day we may get some honest folk who will run for and win the greatest office in the land.

Answer 2

Greatest presidnet, no. One of the greatest, yes. Global communism was winning when he was sworn in, and destroyed when he left office. SDI, Iceland, the Berlin Wall, all those worked because of him. The world found a way out of MADD without the nuclear winter option.

In regards to the social programs, chariatable donations under Ronnie were highest in percentage of income and total dollars than any president ever. He was a fan of the marketplace, and private charaties always whoop governemtn programs.

Rising waters raise all boats my friend, and it is rich people that write paycheks. When is the last time a poor guy gave you a job?

He did not ignore the AIDS epidemic. He used the recources of the governement to work for an international cure.....working heavily with the lead research teams in France. Instead of working on whole dollars, he removed bureaucratic steps to enable international communication with the CDC. He does not get credit for that though...

Iran Contra was simple. Good freedom fighters in Central America need money. Congress will not provide the money. Ronnie sells outdated weapons to Iran for money, then funnels the money to the Contra's for logisical support, thusly cutting congress out of the money picture. Iran gets crappy weapons, and the Contras get money. We get rid of crappy weapons and help an ally. Everyone wins.

Answer 3

When there is a threat that is difficult to make the American public see awhile the opposition whether it be dems or reps are bashing to minimize and tie the others hands co-version is the next step. Every president has taken part in such affairs. Ollie North an American hero for being the scapegoat to protect what was right and just. Ronald Regan was a genius and a great man and president.
As for being so called ignorant to the other things he was not. Yet the appearance of ignorance shielded him and allowed him to retain his political capital and he spent it in ways that changed the world forever.

Answer 4

Even with all his sins, Ronnie was a good guy at heart who done many great things 9/10 of modern politicians would not have the back bone to think of, and really if you look at the facts it was MUCH more bush Sr doing the shady stuff than Regan, and unless the reps quite picking their candidate based of who they think can win, instead of the best person for the job, Ronnie could be the last great Republican president, and that's sad because as much as i would like to simplify things and say Dem's are right or reps are right, bipartisan politics is what makes this countrie great, after all how far would a bird make it if only one wing worked.

Answer 5

One of the greatest Presidents in the history of our great nation. I'm sorry that you're so indoctrinated by the liberal media establishment. Read some books on Reagan and find out the truth!

Answer 6

A little of both...

Certainly a succesful president and world leader, there is some question just how much of his policies were his own ideas.

A great president? Maybe... it is debatable.

A good president? Almost certainly.

Answer 7

Well its a good thing we dont count you as one of the great thinkers of our time.

Tell you what...why dont you put President Clinton under the same microscope and see just how imperfect HE was.

Answer 8

Seems to me you are expending too much of your energy dwelling on the past. Why not jump into today and expend your energies on things that really matter. Let the man rest in peace.

Answer 9

I find it interesting that one would question Ronald Reagan's presidency but no one will begin to question the Clinton years...I just don't get it.

Answer 10

You are very wrong. He was a great president.