Who is the true heir to Ronald Reagan?

[jaysunb]

By Steven Harmon


Bay Area News Group


© Copyright 2012, Bay Area News Groupmercurynews.com

But many historians argue that if Reagan had a true heir, he or she might raise taxes, compromise with Democrats and put aside the notion of taming the deficit during an economic downturn.

During his two terms in the White House in the '80s and as California's governor in the late '60s and early '70s, Reagan did all those things.

"I'm not sure how well Ronald Reagan would do in today's highly partisan environment," said Stephen Knott, an author of two books on Reagan and professor of national security studies at the U.S. Naval War College. "If he tried to do today what he did in compromising on a budget dispute with House Democrats in 1982, he'd be crucified."

Political advice

Reagan himself spoke of avoiding the pitfalls of ideological politics when he first became governor.

"We cannot offer (voters) a narrow sectarian party in which all must swear allegiance to prescribed commandments," he told conservative activists. "Such a party can be highly disciplined, but it does not win elections. This kind of party soon disappears in a blaze of glorious defeat, and it never puts into practice its basic tenets, no matter how noble they may be."

As president, Reagan jolted the nation by cutting the top income-tax rate in half. But a year later, he signed a $37 billion tax increase, the largest in U.S. history -- bigger than President Bill Clinton's $30 billion increase in 1993. And that was followed with another major tax increase in 1986. Both were progressive taxes that put more of the burdens on the wealthy. In his two terms, he signed 11 tax hikes.

http://www.mercurynews.com/california-budget/ci_20248314/analysis-who-is-true-heir-ronald-reagan

[MarianJack]

1. I NEVER thought I'd say ANYTHING like this, but...

...reagan was a much better man than those who are running for his former office from his party today.

JEEZIS! I just paid ronald reagan something that some may obviously interpret as a compliment. Pardon me while I change my underwear!

PEACE!

[jaysunb]

2. I'd hoped no one would infer that.

If you really read the article you'll better understand the difference in the political climate, then and now.

Had the current Republicans acted as those of Reagans time, you'd be hailing Obama as the greatest President ever.

[MarianJack]

5. I'm almost 57 and have been involved in politics since I stuffed envelopes forBobby Kennedy in 1968.

I've LIVED the differences in the political climate between then and now and I stand by my statement. That doesn't mean that I consider reagan to be a good man or a good president. Saying he was better that the current crop of loons and nuts being presented by the rethugs is an insult to THEM, not a compliment to reagan.

I do remember actual bipartisanship.

Today's republicans don't idoloze the reagan record, they idolize the reagan "legend", ideal an image. They'd never support most of his actual actions. Actually his administration's actions since reagan was senile for most of his time in office.

I already consider President Obama to be one of the greats and look forward to the second term.

But by all means, thank you for the condescending tone of your post.

[jaysunb]

9. I'm 68, if that's supposed to mean anything.

and my post was not meant to be condescending, simply a response to what I felt was a dig at the President.

[MarianJack]

13. I don't see how what I said was a dig at President Obama,...

...since I specifically referred to those running from reagan's party.

As far as the age goes, I don't see the need for an article to explain what I observed and remember quite clearly. At least I don't see anything that inclines me to change my statement. Again, what I said wasn't meant to make ronald reagan look better but to make bain romney, little ricky santorum, newtie gingrich and racist ron paul look worse.

I am also not one of those who populate this forum who took the approach of "Obama didn't do EXACTLy what I want so he's no better than bush" crowd. I naver have been and I can't imagine that I ever will be.

[jaysunb]

14. I re-read your post and apologize.

I truly jumped the gun and offer a sincere apology.

[MarianJack]

15. What else can I do but accept!

Maybe you should give rush limbooger lessons on how to apologize with great class and dignity as you have? Unfortunayely, he wouldn't learn.

I certainly can't say I've never mis-interpreted another DUer's post. Well, I can say it but I'd be lying!

back at'cha!

PEACE!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. It's been a steady downfall.

The repub party sinks lower with every iteration.

[MarianJack]

4. Step by step

reagan made me miss nixon, poppy bush made me miss reagan, george w moron made me miss his father.

Of course, I don't miss any of these walking turds AT ALL! It is amazing however, how each republican president gets progreaaively worse. That being said, after george w moron I truly DREAD what the next rethug president will be like.

And yes, I deliberately left Ford out of this equation.

PEACE!

[alfredo]

7. Democrats want to govern, Republicans want to rule.

[EFerrari]

10. I don't see how. He warred against labor,

he ignored AIDS while people were dying. He exported torture all over the world. Raygun was a horrible, horrible man. These men are just venal and stupid so far. Raygun got hundreds of thousands of innocent people dead.

[MarianJack]

12. The comparison wasn't to make reagan look better,...

...it was to make the current batch of loons look worse.

[alfredo]

6. Good article.

If you have a Facebook account you can post a reply.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. Blagojevich is the true hair to Reagan. Nt.

[NICO9000]

11. Not who, but what

I just flushed one of his many true heirs this morning.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

16. That's an easy question.