mrdreamjeans | Reagan's Death (Reply)

I intended tonight to write a brief comment to a posting by champdaddy musing about the intense response of some live journalers to former president Reagan's passing. Seems some folks were jumping for joy. I find it hard to be happy about anyone's death, but at the same time, understand the intensity of the written feelings, particularly if you lived through the times and the epidemic which lingers. I posted a much longer response than intended to Chaz's posting (sorry, my friend), so I thought I'd post my feelings in a separate blog.

I see no victory in Reagan's death, though his policies caused my family no end of grief in the 1980s. My Dad was bemoaning Reagan's passing tonight and I (not so delicately) reminded my father that the former president's misguided economic policies lead to two layoffs for him in the mid-80s which led to his bankruptcy, gutted his retirement and resulted in the loss of my parents' home.

They didn't call Reagan the Teflon president for nothing. Dad continues to refer to him as our greatest president not assigning his administration any blame for our personal woes.

There always seemed to be a disconnect for many older voters between what Reagan's administration did and how Reagan made them feel. I do believe his modest talents as an actor served him well in office. Charm and humor go a long way, particularly as smokescreens. Even the Iran-Contra scandal (as bad as Nixon's Watergate) rolled off his shoulders.

Reagan's ignorance of the scope and magnitude of the AIDs epidemic was/is a particularly bitter pill; the lack of research and funding on his watch was despicable, but it was impossible to dislike him personally. I always thought it was ironic that when Nancy made appearances without President Ronnie that her escort was a gay man.

Another example of the disconnect..... Reagan was the first divorced president, did not have a warm and loving relationship with his children, but his official warm fuzzies about family, home and patriotism will be trotted out endlessly in the next few days and anyone who remembers the truth of his personal life will be unpatriotic if speaking out... and publicly.

Shrub is following the same policy of tax cuts as Reagan implemented in the 80s (which have tripled our deficit...deficit = deferred taxes), but doesn't have any of the ability to charm or humor his way through this round of tax cuts like Reagan did.

I didn't vote for Reagan (the 2nd time:) and abhorred his policies (particularly in hindsight), but I do believe that his family suffered the past few years; Alzheimer's is a terrible disease and it's worse for the caretakers.

I do have hope though that some good will come out of Reagan's suffering from this illness. Nancy Reagan has openly challenged the Bush administration's policy on cell stem research. Even my Dad, with diabetes, believes this kind of research should continue to combat the terrors and ravages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Diabetes and Parkinson's. Reagan is gone, but perhaps his beloved Nancy will do some good in his memory.

Funny that so many people are glorifying Reagan, but pretty much ignored Nixon's passing. Nixon was a criminal, but more moderate on social issues and certainly more informed and talented. Reagan - an example of charm and good looks triumphing over ability and brains.