debunking the reagan myth

[raycarey]

From Publishers Weekly
In an attempt to challenge the legend that has sprung up around Ronald Reagan's presidency over the past decade, Bunch, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, argues that the Reagan myth is dangerous because, unlike other American presidents held up as heroes, like Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Jefferson, reverence for Reagan did not emerge organically. Rather, the GOP hatched the Reagan myth, feeding it to the news media for purposes that were essentially partisan in nature... pulling off a maneuver that was unprecedented in American history. The result has been a simplified reconstruction of Reagan, far from universally popular president to the man who ended the Cold War and spurred unprecedented economic growth. Bunch contends Reagan was responsible for neither, at least not single handedly. Instead, he claims that the 40th president's real achievement lay in his ability to compromise, an element of his leadership conservatives have ignored since he left office. Neither Bunch's arguments nor his prose are powerful enough to do more than slightly tarnish Reagan's halo, but his book capably puts into perspective an imperfect but fascinating administration.

there are so many myths about reagan it borders on the absurd, and i'm really looking forward to reading this book.

for example, despite the revisionism that has taken place over the last few years, he was not strong on defense and he did not cut taxes. in fact:
*reagan raised taxes...multiple times.
*reagan did not respond forcefully when the marine barracks in lebanon were blown up....oh sorry, he invaded a grenada.
* he not only talked to the iranians...he sold them weapons...illegally.

and these days grover norquist is crisscrossing the country on his 'reagan legacy project' trying to get schools and libraries named after reagan....it's like something out of 1984.

Amazon.com: Tear Down This Myth: How the Reagan Legacy Has Distorted Our Politics and Haunts Our Future: Will Bunch: Kindle Store

[Attilla the Hen]

In Europe, he was always seen as a not particularly smart president who surrounded himself with very able advisors and he did what they told him to.

[blackgang]

For once RayFaery is right but he does not know that and admits it and is just wanting to stir shit as usual.
Reagan was a sorry son of a bitch, a union busting prick that is the one that started the backslide of the USA that Bill Clinton and GW Bush finished.

And the Chicken is mostly correct, as Ronald had no brains of his own.

In Europe, he was always seen as a not particularly smart president who surrounded himself with very able advisors and he did what they told him to.

[Butterfly]

I quite liked Raygun, harmless

[Boon Mee]

I quite liked Raygun, harmless

Me too. Have his signature on my diploma from UC Santa Barbara in fact...

[ItsRobsLife]

Reagan and Thatcher, that's were the dumbing down started and we've never recovered.

[Muadib]

There's always been a certain air to the Reagan years, not sure I would call it a myth having lived through his tenure...

I remember growing up to Ronnie Rayguns on the Death Valley Days show on the tele...



And his Chesterfield cigarette advertising...




And his successful movie career...




And of course his style of handling Foreign Policy...

[Butterfly]

I think he was ok for the time, he fulfilled his role

[DaffyDuck]

Actually, all things considered, he was the best President for the time - sadly, after his two terms, things just went downhill. His first one and a half terms achieved a lot.

[Panda]

The press has a field day with Regans defence via horoscope theory.

[Butterfly]

didn't he claim that he wanted to protect the USA from an alien invasion ?

I think Bush Sr was playing him, and all the negativity under the Raygun administration came from Bush silly little mind game

This is also when they started to demonize Liberals, and this is how Boon Mee and his likes have become