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Today is the centennial of the birth of a man. That’s it. Sure, the man became President of the United States, but do did 42* other people. Yet, with the exception of Washington and Lincoln, we really don’t make a big deal about the births of Presidents. And, what’s more, is that Reagan is being trumpeted as the arch-conservative…. the prime example of conservatism in the United States.
It is curious why Republicans have elevated Ronald Reagan to god-like status when history shows he presided over what is arguably a period of criminal activity and economic despair for millions of Americans. Reagan’s administration illegally sold arms to Iranian officials in exchange for American hostages despite an arms embargo in place at the time. If it wasn’t bad enough selling arms illegally, Reagan secretly used some of the proceeds to fund anti-Communist rebels in Nicaragua that was directly prohibited by Congress. (here)
I’m asking myself the same thing – but we Americans see to do that with our own leaders. What amazes me is that it has happened so quickly, especially in the age of instant information. It took Lincoln years to be rehabilitated. Now, thanks to modern technology and Jim West (BBC), Lincoln is being reevaluated which I hope will show just how much he destroyed the Constitution. But I digress.
Reagan was far from a real conservative.
He raised taxes, exploded the Federal Government, pushed the Middle Class over the edge, and supported apartheid (there is a reason he began his presidential campaign, post convention in Philadelphia, Mississippi), and he has helped to give us the Taliban.
But, what did he do that even I could give him credit for?
He restored the American Presidency. Nixon had destroyed it, Ford bungled it and Carter had failed to assert it. Yet, Reagan had restored the superficial decency of the office and in a real way, the entire country. I’ll let you decide if that was a good thing or not.He knew how to use the medium of television, the Flag, and stood against the Soviet Union, eventually forcing it into economic disparity.
“Let us resolve tonight that young Americans will always … find there a city of hope in a country that is free… And let us resolve they will say of our day and our generation, we did keep the faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city on a hill.”
But for me, I cannot help but to remember the other Reagan and wonder why in the world are we feting a man with such a record.
One of the reasons that I left conservatism, besides becoming a Christian and loving God, was that I was tired of the hypocrisy. When Reagan stood up and challenged the tax raisers with his ‘Make my day’, and then raised taxes… And a whole host of other issues…
Celebrate him if you want, but my Saviour lives!
Related articles
- Ronald Reagan Was No Saint, And He Needs to Be Remembered Correctly (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
- Ronald Reagan Birthday: Facts That May Surprise You About The Former President (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)
- Ronald Reagan Quotes: Unforgettable Lines From The Former President (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
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My Savior lives! Amen!
And lets not forget the dumb war on drugs as well. Just say no!
Reagan certainly wasn’t perfect, but he unquestionably changed the path of our nation for the better. The most valuable thing he did was make Americans believe in themselves again after fifteen years of national turmoil. Kennedy had flaws, but he also inspired Americans to greater things and he has been elevated to mythical status. I’ve never gone to a funeral and heard talk of the deceased persons flaws. We tend to use a different prism to view past figures. I won’t bother to debate you over Reagan’s achievements, your mind seems made up. By the way, I don’t believe my political ideology makes me less of a Christian. Your liberal ideology does not mean you are not a Christian. It means we believe in different paths to improve the human condition. Yours just happens to be wrong
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I will not tell anyone about you commenting on here
I agree that he changed the direction of our nation – and in some ways, for the better. He restored the American Presidency to the high levels that he was called to be. He spoke for us on the world scene in a way which we had lost. And yes, he did inspire. He still does. The current President made note during his own campaign that he wanted to be like Reagan.
My concern though is the notion that he is celebrated in the way he is in such a short time after his death.
Sorry – that Christian comment was a sarcastic jab, sorta. Someone this morning was talking about things working until humans got involved. Nearly any economic and political system could work if it wasn’t governed by humans, it seems.
Let me state that Christians can be conservatives. No doubt in my mind.
And as far as mine being wrong… I don’t know if that is possible. I mean, me being wrong. My wife tells me tall the time that ‘I….am right all the time.’ I tend to believe what I hear from her
I was never a fan of Reagan as your President. But I must confess to being “converted” to a much more positive appreciation of the man by reading his letters. A picture of deep kindness, old-fashioned courtesy, personal integrity and a much greater shrewdness than appeared on the surface come through strongly. I might still – did still – often disagree, but I gained a new respect.
Doug, while I disagree with Reagan about a lot – a lot, especially exploding the size of the Federal government and raising taxes… you are correct in your assessment of him. He was radically different in that regard than LBJ. Or Nixon…
I do find it a bit odd that not only conservatives, but liberals are reaching for the Reagan aura. Conservatives would do better to want to be the first “name of your choice preferably not Palin” not the next Reagan. Reagan’s time is history and the world has changed. He imperfectly lead us to higher ground and made us believe in ourselves. We need that inspiration from a leader now, but our politics is too focused on tearing down the other guy. A leader doesn’t get stuck in the muck. A leader puts out a vision and gets a national buy in – who cares what your opponent says. Obama had a chance to do this but lost it by pretending to be king. He even seems to have lost his ability to inspire with his speech because it now seems hollow and fake. Anyway, we name roads and builings after serving politicians, we might as well make Reagan a saint.
I want to find a reason to disagree with you – I really do. I’m trying, but John, I just can’t. I agree with you here.