Post a thought or remembrance for Ronald Reagan
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I think Oliver North should give a eulogy, and talk about how committing a felony in service to the Reagan administration strengthened America.
T. M., West Roxbury
When I think of Ronald Reagan I think of all the air traffic controllers who lost their jobs and all the tax breaks that helped the rich get richer.
Mark, Melrose
I went to high school and college during the Reagan years. I came of age as a young man during his presidency and I recall vividly the threat of communism and Soviet expansionism and the low ebb American pride and sense of self had sunk to, just before Mr. Reagan became president. Ronald Reagan's infectious optimism is EXACTLY what the United States needed in the 1980's. This country's prestige was badly damaged in the 1970's - first by Watergate, then the by the disasterous Carter presidency and finally by a wave of political correctness that seemed to penalize those who wanted to excel and get ahead. Reagan stood up to the Soviet expansionism, re-established a sense of national pride of what it meant to be an "American" and gave all who wanted to try, the hope of fulfilling the American dream of being happy and leading successful lives. Best of all, Ronald Reagan gave every American *HOPE*. Every major leader's actions will be viewed from historical context and will be judged by the test of time and the impact that individual's actions have had on humanity. In this respect, Reagan will be considered one of the greatest political figures the world has ever known. No other world figure has changed the map of the world as much as Reagan. His greatest achievement, the collapse of the tyrannical and oppressive Soviet empire, happened in *HIS* lifetime. Ronald Reagan's steely resolve and belief in American values as well as his confidence in America and all Americans is why so many world leaders respected him and why so many of us Americans loved him, from all political sides. Rest in peace Mr. President, you need not to fight on - mission accomplished.
Tim, Westborough
A Great AMERICAN has been lost. "Reaganomics" not only fired up our economy, it helped ensure the crumbling of the Soviet Union. How many millions of American (yes, even liberals) lives were saved when the Cold War was ended?? There can never be a price tag put on that. His politics were simple...Keep more of your own money, let business drive the economy, actually work for a living, small government, more freedom. Most importantly, his optimism (Democrats could learn a large lesson here) and love for our country pulled us out of the Jimmy Carter "Malaise", and set our priority as America First and the rest of the world next. (Sound like GWB??) Isn't that what a Great American President should be?? He will be missed, but his ideals still are alive in our current President. Remember that in November.
Chris, Plymouth
I was twelve years old living in Wakefield MA when President Reagan was shot. I remember that day very well. I was picking up newspapers at The Wakefield Daily Item, for my paper-route when someone at the newspaper office told me that the president had just been shot. The radio broadcast at the office was just starting to talk about what had happened, but the details were still sketchy. I remember leaving the office to head out on my route with the coldest and frightened feeling. I was young, but I was very aware of the world situation at that time and was worried about how the world, the Russians in particular, would react to this lapse in power. But the knot in my gut was about the well being of our president. I decided to deliver my newspapers personally by knocking on all the doors I had to deliver newspapers to and letting people know what had happened, since it obviously wasn't in the paper yet. In retrospect, probably most people already knew but at the time I felt like it was my duty as the newspaper boy to relay the news. Twenty-three years later I am still taken back to that moment in time and I have that same knot in my stomach but all I can do now is honor the memory of my favorite president, Ronald Reagan, by teaching my children who he was, and the great things he did to protect not only our country, but the world, from the brink of destruction. Goodby President Reagan, rest in peace. I know your with God now and you are yourself again. We will miss you.
Kevin , Saco, ME
It is sad that former President Reagan spent so many years with Alzheimer's disease and his family have my sympathy. Unfortunately, because he appeared to be such a "nice guy", many people venerate him. He was simple-minded and dogmatic and only the present person in the office, has done a worse job.
Joan, Winchester
Hearing of Ronald Reagans passing brings much sadness. In defense of the dead who cannot defend themselves. The principles and concept held by Reagan are far more deeper and more poignent than most realizse. I think of the millions of lives he helped transform in America and abroad, the freedom of Eastern Europe. The cold war debt was a necessary evil and minor trade off compared to the alternatives. A visionary victory that John Maynard Keynes or John Kenneth Galbriath would find admirable. There were compromises made, Tip O'Neil and Reagan although political opposites respected each other and worked together on budgetary items. The idea was to move America forward, and sometimes mistakes or poor judgements were made. But the world was a very different place 25 years ago and far more dangerous than today. Some mocked and questioned his stance against drugs when we know 20 years later that drug abuse has a direct link to biploar disorders and sources of premature death not just through overdose but also heart disease. Reagan was far more altruistic in believing in the strength of the individual. An individual need not be shackled in subservience to big government, they should be unchained to reach their fullest potential. This shift in political thinking of accountability of the individual, the deadbeat dad program, back to work for welfare mothers, the moderate stance Clinton took in office by bringing in David Gergen are all parts of the Reagan legacy. His legacy will leave on through a generation that believes in the hope of freedom, the ideal if your expect more of an individual they will expect more of themselves, and never to cower in the face of godless aggression. I ask you did Reagan really militarize space. Is space any more militarized today than it was in 1980. The thousands of Sovient suborbital ICBMs are no more. Space was already militarized by 1957. Lastly, the question of Reagan's health in office. Does anyone remember the Horse riding accident after he left office which caused severe bruising of the brain that required surgery and draining. This accident occurred in a man 77 years old. Anyone who follows professional fighting or is versed with head trauma knows this type of accident would predispose a person to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimers. This is especially true in any individual at an advanced age. Much like hardening of the arteries is a precursor to such ailements so is severe head trauma. This is observation I made years ago and found surprisingly stated by Nancy Reagan not too long ago. The true evaluation of any man is if he left the world a better than he found it. Although all may not appreciate it the world is far better place due to Ronald Wilson Reagan. When breaks are beating the boys, we will remember the Gipper.
FOSTER, BROCKTON
Most people go through their life worrying whehter what they've done, or are doing, has or will make a difference in the world. Ronald Reagan doesn't have that problem!
Cman, Weymouth
He had a beautiful dog (king charles cavalier). Some people who praise Reagan say he deserves respect as a former president, yet in the same breathe these people insult other presidents in a partisan way. Even in grief some people think they are building up "their party" by pushing down the other party. Reagan was a man, with flaws and strengthes. I remember his strength after the Challenger crash. I remember his flaws with Iran-contra and social programs. How progessed was his disease while he was still president? Were we shielded from his true condition by those around him and by the media, just as we are shielded from Bush's true condition by those around him and the media today?
Kathy, Quincy
Liberals are so devoid of class and full of hate for this country that they cannot leave this great man alone even in his death. They make stupid statements like he had nothing to do with the implosion of Soviet Communism when it was his steely resolve which more than anything else brought down the wall. Conservatives by nature are more respectful of human dignity. When Carter passes on, there will be no conservatives disparaging him despite his ruinous record. Even your idol, the impeached Clinton was gracious enough to honor the memory of Reagan, in this one instance you liberals would do well to follow him. May the greatest president of the 20th century rest in peace and all of us living in a free world owe him a debt of gratitude.
Maneesh, Woburn
