Why was Reagan blamed for the economical problems in the 80's?

Question

It was during the reign of the nightmare Jimmy Carter that the economy went down. Inflation went up big time and Reagan actually improved the economy, but liberals love diverting the blame from Carter and placing it on Reagan, who was better than every liberal President we have ever had, including the liberal's hero Bill Clinton, who screwed up the course Reagan set us on.

Answer 1

Reagan was probably on of the best presidents. He wasn't a career politician he was an actor. That means he was only acting like a lire and a bullshiter, when Clinton was the true thing.

Answer 2

If Ronald Reagan was such a bad president, would the public have had the sadness they did when he died? Second, if Reagan was such a bad president would he have won re-election with such a landslide (he won every state in the union except his opponent’s home state)?

Next, the economy does not work like a light switch, there are things that can be done that immediately influence the economy such as changes in interest rates, however, fiscal policy can take years to see the changes. The tax cuts during the 1980's increased revenue. I know that’s had for liberals too understand, but it does. In fact George Bush senior was handed a great economy and messed it up by increasing taxes.

I think liberals hate Reagan because when they compare him too their Idol, Bill Clinton, Reagan beats him hands down in the legacy department.

I am a conservative, I did not like Bill Clinton as president, but I didn't hate him, I don't hate anyone because of their political views. I disagree and welcome debate. However, I am amazed at how many liberals hate Republicans and conservatives in general. I'm not saying the hatred doesn't work both ways at times but look at how a conservative handles him or her self verses a liberal in an interview. Liberals seem to be so angry and bitter. Why? I know the world has problems but too wake up everyday with all that anger is going to eat you alive someday.

Anyway that's my opinion, thank you for reading it.

Answer 3

The trickle down theory of economics that Reagan touted resulted in some disastrous consequences. While world events happened that helped increase the availability of oil and thus reducing costs. While the high inflation of the Nixon, Ford and Carter years were in double digits some things did go down. For example taxes on the most wealthy of our citizens took a big dump while taxes on middle class went up slightly under Reagan. The voodoo economics, as his successor called it, was able to be sold like so much of the Reagan programs because of the salesman. Ronald Reagan was a consummate actor and salesman. He could sell ice to Eskimos, to use an old cliché. Once George H.W. Bush took over the voodoo economics was starting to show and Bush had neither the charisma nor the salesmanship of Reagan and so Clinton was able to make "It's the economy, stupid", his campaign slogan. While Reagan and Bush, Sr. left office with increasing deficits, Clinton left with a surplus. Now we are on a course or record deficits again.

Answer 4

Any economist will tell you that economic changes take time. A president's policies don't have immediate effects. Carter's policies created the problems in the 80's, Reagan's policies created the prosperity of the 90's, Clinton's policies created the economy of today (not great). We have yet to see what Bush will create.

If the immigration bill passes, hang on - we'll be going off a cliff, regardless who gets elected in 2008...

Answer 5

You're dead wrong on all counts.

One thing Carter doesn't get credit for was appointing Paul Volker as Fed chairman, who put the economy on a tight money policy to fight inflation. The result was that interest rates spiked up in the last years of Carter's presidency, which didn't help him.

Reagan unfairly gets credit for improving the economy/fighting inflation, which started in Carter's reign. He hurt the economy though by ballooing the deficit to record highs. He had the benefit of timing.

Clinton "screwed up the course Reagan set us on"? Thank goodness he did. In his administration he created more jobs in eight years than Ronnie did, he REDUCED the federal deficit instead of increasing it, and decreased poverty levels to a greater extent than Reagan did.

Answer 6

Actually the economy showed hiccups from the early 70's through Carter's Presidency. Nixon supported Keynes. In the beginning of the Reagan era, many conservatives attacked Reagan's fiscal policies, as, it took a few years to stabilize the economy. Later, the recession occurred, under Bush, which eliminated his chances at a second term. Clinton separated himself from the liberal crowd by being fiscally prudent, and, balancing the federal budget.

Answer 7

This question and the subsequent answers once again proves that we don't properly teach history in this country.

From the point that Reagan's tax cuts took effect till the end of his 2nd term, income tax revenues increased by 68% (thereby proving JFK to be correct). To paraphrase, the problem was "it's the spending, stupid". I will grant you that Reagan should have done more to curb spending (vetoes). But, at the end of the day, it is still Congress that controls the pursestrings.

Answer 8

A lot of people tend to blame the President for everything that happens during his term, as if we're in Cuba with Castro. It's not fair to only blame the Pres. at any given time. There are always many factors to consider.

However, for quick, easy conversations, I guess people just say the Pres. to mean all the poitical forces in charge at that time.

Answer 9

I don't think anyone with any accurate historical knowledge disputes that the economy under both Reagan and Clinton did very well. The only problem with Reagan was that he put us under significant debt. NOTHING compared to what Bush43 has done, however.

Reagan and Clinton were both good presidents whether their opponents can admit it or not.

Answer 10

Depends on who you talk to. Reagan's policies gave our economy a major boost in the early 80s---but it also led to junk bonds and the savings and loan scandals. Personally, I think dishonest corporate types will find ways around legallity in ANY economy, so I can't really blame Reagan for that. Mostly, Reagan's policies were good overall....and a very welcome change to the policies of "peanut man".