Without starting a flamewar, I'll simply note that this sentiment applies equally to the current crew in Washington.

I'm still of multiple minds on Reagan. He gave America her confidence and optimism back. Unfortunately, that has morphed into hyper-nationalism and the inappropriate use of military force by BushClintonBush. His legacy, as interpreted by Bush, means fiscal sanity and small government are no longer Republican principles. I'd thought, he had been able to make Americans confident in their own abilities, but somehow twenty years down the line most Americans, including sadly once independent minded Republicans, now bow and scrape before state power. I don't believe this was his intention. I was sure he'd get us killed fighting the Cold War, since we had an enemy capable of killing us by the millions. We won and his sucessors threw away his victory on mindless interventionism, that is probably the saddest part.

I think Reagan was the last President who loved and respected the American people.

Equally? Primarily.

He was certainly the best president of my lifetime. I wish that was saying more.

Ok I'll take that back a bit, despite his many flaws (don't get me started on reganomics) he did believe what he said or least appear to, which is more than you can say for the current bunch of scum.

Thankfully, Ronald Reagan is burning in hell today. The world has a little less evil in it. I only hope that George W. Bush will join him soon.

deep thoughts radar. classy too.

It could take him awhile to respond. He's busy counting all of the money the government has stolen from him today.

I find myself amazed when I read you rpost. I agree with every single point.

I was not a fan or Reagan, but he did have his good attributes. At the time, I thought he was horrible, but I realize in hindsight that Presidents can be much worse.

I felt bad for him when he got alzheimers, but I felt bad for myself too. I used to joke about his forgetfulness and mock him, but was unable to do so after he was diagnosed with the illness.

If I get friday off because of his death, that will be one more good thing I can say about him. Our bosses are still trying to figure out what to do. We normally close when the federal government closes.

Basically, I'd written him off as dead in my mind, because of his illness, so his actual passing is really no biggie. I'm sure his family has mixed feeling now that he's dead. I bet mostly they are happy about it.

Hear, hear!
Ronnie's brand of conservatism only looks good in comparison to the neocons. But that's not saying a whole hell of a lot.

Still, I was sorry to hear of his disease, and sorry for his family. Even in politics, there should be a place for human emotions, and a modicum of respect for the (newly-) dead.

- Pie

The man didn't earn any respect when he was alive. Why should he have any when he's dead?

He spent generations of Americans into debt and had the nerve to act as though running up the credit card was prosperity. He had NOTHING to do with the economic boom of the 90's, he had NOTHING to do with the release of the hostages in Iran, and he had NOTHING to do with the fall of the already crumbling Soviet Union but his ignorant supporters claimed he did.

He lied under oath and he was a moronic, puppet of a cold-hearted, manipulative, bitch...who happened to also be his wife.

He is rotting and burning in hell right now, and he richly deserves to be there.

This thread has caused me to think about the positives of Reagan. I think the biggest positive I can think of is that he was such a great communicator that he was actually able to campaign on the basis of a philosophy. The notion that he had a strong, principled set of beliefs was quite refreshing, and although he went off-principle fairly often while in office, it still left us with the feeling that there was a true leader there. This is especially true because of the relentlessly political animals we have had in the office since then.

Sometimes it feels like W wants to represent "Reagan lite" chowing down on certain principles such as his anti-terror doctrine and his notions of permitting faith in government. But he can't pull it off because of his inability to communicate. When he goes into "good ol' boy" mode, relaxed, off script, personable, he seems like he could pull it off. Then the next day he has to work from a prepared speech and he comes across like someone in 9th grade speech class.

Reagan's middle initial was W. Yes, my Father lasted 6 years.:(