ArrantPariah wrote:
We've probably had no more polarizing figure in recent history--possibly in the entire history of the United States.
Either people absolutely worship him, or they despise him. As compared to other recent presidents, who are either mildly-to-vehemently despised or regarded indifferently.
So, without further ado, have at it.
I don't think he's a villain, but I wouldn't call him a hero. The Republicans want to call him a hardcore conservative who never broke principle. The Democrats want to call him a radical right-wing reactionary who had no sense of compromise. In the end, he was neither of these things, but rather just a human being with strengths and weaknesses.
I'll make a pro/con list to help put things in perspective:
Pros* Restored public opinion of the presidency
* Charisma and public appeal, persuasive.
* Began a new chapter in our country's history
* Compromised often with his opposition party in Congress
* Passed widespread tax reform (which wasn't as much of a boon to rich as some think)
* Handled Libya, Grenada, Operation Cyclone
* Reduced inflation from the economy (under Volcker)
* Renovated our military to be better responsive to crises
* Started Strategic Defense Initiative, stuck with it, and it paid off
* Diplomacy with Mikhail Gorbachev INF Treaty
* Partially influenced the end of the Cold War
Con* Traded arms for hostages in Iran/Okay he did that to get hostages from terrorists.
* Lack of vigilance resulted in Iran Contra Scandal.
* Mistake of keeping troops in Lebanon too long (hundreds were killed in a bomb).
* Large national debt (Reagan's rejected budgets don't even come close to paying it down).
* Government nearly doubled in size from 600b budget to over 1 trillion budget
* Failed to address important issues: crack, aids, rising entitlement growth