Every president is the subject of intense scrutiny. Some emerge glorious while some get treated with brickbats. If you think of the likes of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, then there are very few people who would have anything bad to say about them. If you think of George W. Bush or Bill Clinton, then very few would have anything nice to say about them. Ronald Reagan is one unique president who has an amazing legacy and hence has a stunning fan following, yet he also has his share of critics. There are many who are rather miffed at Ronald Reagan.
Since every man has his share of strengths and weaknesses, Ronald Reagan was no different in that regard. But do we remember him more for his achievements or blame him for his failures? Be a judge as you explore the Ronald Reagan pros and cons.
List of Pros of Ronald Reagan
1. The end of the Cold War
Ronald Reagan brought the bitter, uncertain and painstaking cold war to an end. Till his term, there was no seeming end to the cold war, not many people knew if it would culminate into an actual war or if it was all a few people’s creation in the US and in Russia. His presidency marked the end of the cold war. It is widely believed that Ronald Reagan had actively intervened and ensured to end the never ending bickering, spying and counter spying, intelligence hacks and backstabbing.
2. ‘Just Say No’ to Drugs
Ronald Reagan started the war on drugs. At the time, drugs were the biggest social menace and were claiming lives across the country. While the largest consignments and smuggling were initiated from Central America, the Russian peddlers and various business establishments in the country were facilitating the spread of myriad types of drugs. The war on drugs that emphasized on the ‘just say no’ initiative did manage to have a significant impact.
3. A Patriot
Ronald Reagan had managed to emerge as a patriot and he made people feel a little more patriotic about their country and fellow countrymen than they were used to. It must be noted that the two world wars, Vietnam and African wars had been very unpleasant experiences for Americans. The sense of reignited patriotism was thus welcome. He had also managed to garner a lot of grassroots support with his patriotism.
4. A Strong Pragmatic
Ronald Reagan was always above suspicion. He was deemed as a man of honor and character. He seemed to be a pragmatic, he had an extensive understanding of the ground reality and state of affairs, his assessment of global affairs was astute and he had a no nonsense approach to anyone who tried to meddle with American interests.
List of Cons of Ronald Reagan
1. Irangate/Contragate
Call it Iran-Contra, Irangate, Contragate or the Iran Contra scandal, the Ronald Reagan administration did supply arms to Iran via Israel despite an embargo. A part of the funds raised from the sale was diverted to finance the Contras. Reagan knew it and he did allow Oliver North to be the fall guy. Irangate or Contragate may not be as scandalous as Watergate or Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky but it was a blemish nevertheless.
2. Delayed Response to AIDS
Ronald Reagan refused to accept the threat of AIDS. He consistently refused to believe that AIDS was a national concern and that it was indeed an epidemic. He not only disbelieved it but he also delayed action, which could have prevented the larger outbreak.
3. War on Drugs
Many critics say that the war on drugs did not work. Some critics highlight the fact that though there were some apparently clean streets and reported cases did get contained but the overall drug menace did not vanish. Also, his lack of social programs for the addicts and the poor has been heavily criticized.
4. Reagan’s Economics
Ronald Reagan’s economics, popularly known as Reaganomics, allowed corporations to enjoy tax breaks but did nothing major for the working class and middle class populace of the country. The national debt skyrocketed and he paved the way for military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan to fight the Russians. Those were uncalled for.
5. Errors of Judgment
Ronald Reagan infamously granted amnesty to three million immigrants who had entered the United States illegally. He used money from the Social Security trust fund to reduce the national debt. That fund was never recuperated. He always lived in the moment and consistently tried to sell his thoughts or what he felt were ideals. There was little follow up of those ideals. One cannot show much as the constructive accomplishments of Ronald Reagan that still stands significant. Some people may relate to why what he did was done in that way but it is difficult to ratify the acts of a president as errors of judgment.