Reagan the one Republican progressives love to cite—now

Socialist progressives often cite President Ronald Reagan when they are trying to justify things like debt ceiling hikes.

The Heritage Foundation pointed out a few facts about Reagan’s administration compared to President Barack Obama’s administration.

Heritage noted:

*Reagan’s debt hikes were comparatively small and usually were temporary (thus the high number of changes).

*Obama in two years has already added a trillion dollars more debt than Reagan did in eight.

*Total debt hike under Reagan ($1.865-T) was almost identical to under Clinton ($1.805-T).

*As a percent of GDP, all later presidents’ hiked total debt notably higher than under Reagan.

Those of us who remember Reagan’s presidency also remain keenly aware of the hostility demonstrated towards him by those we used to call liberals and their allies in media.

Some newspapers of that time, however, did carry opinion pieces that put matters into perspective. Reagan, in his diaries, wrote:
 “A Raymond Price…in the Wash. Post has a column pointing out that the only time Cong. engages in carnivals like the Iran-Contra affair is when the Cong. is Dem. & the Pres. Republican. Cong. has been Dem. for 46 out of 50 years.” [Sunday, July 12, 1987]

Some progressives also like to portray Reagan as mild-mannered. That simply wasn’t true. Reagan did have great self-control, but he did not hesitate to take a stand when he needed to.

One example can be found in a diary entry Reagan wrote ahead of his run for re-election:
“Just saw a fund-raising letter signed by Tip O’Neill for Dem. Cong. Committee. It is the most vicious pack of lies I’ve ever seen. It’s aimed at Sr. Citizens & has me out to destroy Medicare and Soc. Security. We can’t let him get by with this.” [Tuesday, February 12, 1985]

That diary entry describes perfectly the fear tactics progressives are applying in the current debate over spending that will ultimately cripple the US economy and personal wealth if left unchecked.

Recommended Reading

Socialists set the record straight on alleged Democrat socialists in Congress (The US Report)

For Democrats, healthcare is really all about the taxes (The US Report)

Obama debt fight points to 2012 campaign, sacred cows (National Conservative Examiner)

*Chart used at top of column is courtesy of The Heritage Foundation

(Commentary by Kay B. Day/July 27, 2011)

Please help keep The US Report online by making a donation via the PayPal link in the right column.