president reagan ?

Question

Why was he so special? What were the three most important changes brought by Reagan?

Answer 1

First, the country was in a terrible recession under President Carter. The tax fairness act under Reagan was the largest across the board tax cuts ever which lowered the top rate from around 90%(before tax shelters) to I believe around 36%. This accounted for one of the largest increases of revenue in to the treasury ever which would have offset Regan's increased military spending to make an almost balanced budget if the Democrat controlled congress would not have reneged on their promise to hold spending flat. As soon as they saw the increased revenues they spent it as fast as possible making them at least equally responsible for large deficits.

Secondly, Regan understood that appeasement of the Soviet Union was not getting us anywhere and his massive military build up caused the less efficient Communist Regime to spend themselves into bankruptcy thereby ending the Cold War.

Third, and actually this should be first, Regan was a great communicator and took his message directly to the people instilling greater confidence in the Federal Government after the Watergate Scandal and the terrible Carter years where economists tracked the country's "Misery Index". This was proven by President Regan's massive landslide victory going into his second term. For those of you who felt Regan was a failure why did his popularity grow going into his second election and remain high enough to insure a victory by George Bush #1?

Answer 2

read "Meathook" post, very good!

my answer to add:

for you kids that do not know, weren't alive then, where too young, or the just ignorant crowd here are some highlight and the Big Picture:

took us from the depression of the late 1970's to the turn around of the 80's watch the movie "Miracle" and you will get a sense of the down feeling of the country at that time.

the military was a mess due to the loss in Nam. Reagan turned that around and thanks to his build up we kicked butt in the war in 1991 (weapons were bought during his buildup of the 80's)

and finally he won the Cold War, late 70's USSR was on the offensive in Afghanistan, Africa, even across our shores in Latin America, putting in place Communist regimes in places like Angola, Nicaragua, etc and we were weak...! with policies like "Detente" basically kissing their butts!!

Reagan turned that around, called them for what they were "an evil empire" and set to destroy it with the help of Marggie in England and Pope John Paul, they together overcame the Communists in many fronts culminating in the collapse of the Eastern Block Communist regimes in 1989 and subsequently the USSR itself in 1991..!

so Reagan is one of the most important presidents this country has ever had in the context of the BIG PICTURE of things, he wasn't perfect and made some mistakes, BUT ver all the trend of his performance is outstanding!

Answer 3

He was only special because people liked him.

Reagan expanded the federal government by 90%.

Reagan destroyed the economy, increased welfare, became the first president to ever create a federal deficit from overspending, dropped the ball on AIDS funding, and sold arms to our enemies (most of the weapons that Saddam had in Iraq were from the US, sold to him so that he could fight a war with Iran).

He bombed Libya, created the War on Drugs (20 years and billions of dollars later, there are more drugs in the US than ever), sold missiles to Iran, gave assistance to Saddam Hussein and (yes) Osama bin Laden and broke campaign promises.

Despite all these things, people

He talked about cutting taxes, but as governor of California he passed the largest tax increase in the state's history.

Answer 4

Urged Americans to stop looking to the government for answers. The less government, the better.

Refused to accept Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) as a Military Policy. Increased U.S. Military spending with led to the bankruptcy of the Soviet Union.

Fixed an economy with 'stagflation', high unemployment and inflation. A phenomenon unheard of in the U.S. prior to Jimmy Carter.

Answer 5

Destroying the Air Traffic controllers right to collectively bargain.

Selling arms/missiles to the Iranians.

Economic policies that are on the verge of eliminating the Middle Class as we know it.

Answer 6

Well, he symbolizes the essence of the republican party. He supported Genocide in Guatemala. He funded terrorists in Nicaragua. And he also gave WMDs to Saddam. This last one was brilliant in its foresight. He knew that there would eventually be a wee little Texan who wanted to prove his manliness as commander and chief. So he wanted to give him the justification that he would need to do so.

Answer 7

Do your own History Report. Gosh I remember when I was in College we actually had to do RESEARCH and learn facts, not rely on a website chat room to educate us.
Bodes well for the future eh???

Answer 8

Ended the cold war...or did he?
Got Gorbachev to "tear down this wall"
Reaganomics attributed to all the prosperity of the 90's, even with Clinton's tax implements

Answer 9

He stood by the wall in Berlin and demanded the Russians to tear it down....and they did!

Answer 10

http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/Ampres/essays/reagan/biography/2

Reagan is said to have brought confidence back to the American people

Instrumental in the collapse of Communism\Berlin Wall

Popularized the jelly belly jelly bean :)