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While I disagree with the tenet - it should be noted that Reagan Spent his way out of his crisis.

The accumulated debt of all of our previous presidents - from George Washington through Jimmy Carter - including all the monies borrowed for the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam - $909.1 Billion dollars, a stack of dollar bills had not yet reached the moon.

By the time that Ronald Reagan left office in 1988 the National Debt was 2,601.3 Billion or 2.6 Trillion.

Reagan described the new debt as the 'greatest disappointment' of his presidency.

Well noted JDR.

If Reagan isn't directly responsible for our current crisis the fiscal irresponsibility that he started and inspired in others (such as GWB, and to quote Cheney "Reagan showed that deficits don't matter anymore") strictly limit our ability to get out of it.

Reagan was a sunny salesman who conned a generation of Republicans into thinking that he had something to sell that was worthwhile. You only have to look at the last Rep primary where all of the candidates were falling all over each other claiming to be the heir to Reagan.

He preached fiscal responsibility.
He was irresponsible.

He preached smaller government.
He expanded government and its reach.

He preached lower taxes.
He lowered taxes then (to his credit) signed the then largest tax increase in history.

I surely wish that we had the manufacturing base that Reagan had. I wish that we had the energy situation that he had.

Ronnie was a really good communicator and that's important in a leader, but his reputation in some sectors is not supported by reality.

One other key difference:

There were THREE TIMES the number of Manufacturing jobs in America in 1982 than there are now (and the population was significantly smaller too).

One other key difference:

Nancy Pelosi was not in there mucking it up.

What was Ronald Reagan before coming president? An ACTOR! It helped that he followed Jimmy Carter. Think about after the president serves the term, they have no worries. We see the great GWB Jr ride off into the sunset down in Texas. I believe he smoked us all!

Ronnie must be sleeping soundly in his grave. He didn't pay the liberal media any mind when he was President, so it's hard to imagine he would let their drones disrupt his rest now...try as they so.

Correction: 'try as they do".

"...it should be noted that Reagan Spent his way out of his crisis."

With that 'Republican' congress at the time eh?

'"...it should be noted that Reagan Spent his way out of his crisis."

With that 'Republican' congress at the time eh?'

To Reagan's credit and to Tip O'Neill's (more a sign of the times probably) they were able to work together. Besides he signed every one of those spending bills.

"Ronnie must be sleeping soundly in his grave."

Heck he slept most of the way through office. (;-})

"...it should be noted that Reagan Spent his way out of his crisis."

With that 'Republican' congress at the time eh?

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If that's your position then give the D Congress credit for saving the economy in the 80's.

I'll hold my breath.

Hey com'on you guys set up your profile pages!! it's easy and a chance to get to know each other better.

to view someones page just left click on the balloon under the name.

Has anyone thought about why our CIA in 1951 orchestrated a coup that disposed the Iranian leader for the CIA handpicked Shah? Was it for anything other than greed? Why in 1979 the Shah was wisked away via CIA fears? Why were diplomats held hostage?..were they easy targets or was our greed so dominent that our belief was the world is wrong and I am right? The Shah made hugh civilian progress addressing healthcare, education roads commerce. But the sticking point is our CIA did it..without realizing the reprecussions. Our C IA stated Iraq was led by a mad-man inventing chemical weapons. 4000 dead later, we need a new game plan, rather than claiming Reagan is greater than George Washington and much better than all others for heavens SAKE.Christine

Still holding my breath, Dan [the man who-want's it both ways].

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"Has anyone thought about why our CIA in 1951 orchestrated a coup that disposed the Iranian leader for the CIA handpicked Shah?"

He was the son of the man who had lead a coup to take over Iran - and who had run the country with a heavy hand from 1925 until 1941 when the Brit's and the USA - with help from our comrade buddies in Commie Russia - oused Dad because he wasn't loyal enough - and instead put Son Shah in charge.

The Son - whom we commonly call The Shah of Iran - was soon out manuvered by the Prime Minister, who's first step was to depose said don Shah and who's next step was to nationalize the oil industry - removing the main asset of his nation from control by the British Oil Men.

Of course we could not have that, so the USA and the Brits' sponsored another coup and reinstated The Shah of Iran.

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Why in 1979 the Shah was wisked away via CIA fears?

We were protecting out buddy .. who was disliked by the Iranian people in part because he took a "For me or Against me" approach - here's a telling quote:

“We must straighten out Iranians’ ranks. To do so, we divide them into two categories: those who believe in [my] Monarchy .. and those who don’t.... A person who does not ... is not Iranian, he has no nation, and his activities are illegal and punishable according to the law”.

Interesting to note that's pretty much what the Iraninan people got anyway - but lead by Iranian religious zealots rather than puppets of foreigners.

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"Why were diplomats held hostage?"

Fate and politics. The pissed off kids that stormed the embassy found themselves - and their hostages - at the center of World Politics.

.. none of which is to state the Iranian people are "better off", or that America should have much sympathy for the current Government of Iran .. only that things are - as is usually the case - more complex than often considered.