Help me list the facts about R. Reagan's legacy

[bleedingheart]

Rather than take glee in his passing I would like to formulate a list that I can post to my county's democratic site to help dispel the myth that Reagan was such a "great" president.

So here are a few that I remember.

1. Under Reagan a tax on unemploymenet benefits started, which basically is like hitting a man/woman while they are down and it goes to prove that he wasn't the big tax slasher.

2. Under Reagan, dependents on Social Security lost benefits that had been extended to them during the college years. To put this in a modern context, the children whose fathers and mothers were lost in the tragedy of the WTC would have received a stipend while in college or trade school to help them out.... that is gone.

3. Reagan did not end the Cold War, he was in the right place at the right time. The arms race which had started in the '50s was what brought about the end of the Soviet union. Basically they spent much needed capital on arms instead of taking care of their people like a "true communistic" society would have done. In the end the people of those nations were so sick of it that it crumbled upon itself.

4. Reagan started the myth of the Welfare Queen with nine kids living in luxury driving a cadillac. Unfortunately this myth still persists and while there is fraud in any system this myth has led our once generous and compassionate society to have a growing disdain and mistreatment of the unfortunate.

Looking at this web site..(non partisan) I discovered the following

http://www.govspot.com/know/welfare.htm
"How many people receive welfare?

In September 2000, the government gave temporary assistance to 5,760,476 needy people (about 2 percent of the population). "

2% of the population is not a lot of people and the way Reagan blathered on about it you would have thought that tens of millions were on assistance.

5. Reagan ignored the growing AIDS crisis of the 80's.

6. Ironically the Christian conservatives that Reagan courted have used their power within the GOP to fight stem cell research that could help prevent future generations from being afflicted by the same disease that destroyed Mr. Reagan's brain.


Please keep adding to this list as I think this is something constructive we can do to counteract the neocon adulation that will continue over the next few weeks.

I feel for his family but I refuse to let them write a mythical legacy for him.

[Wonk]

1. Check out this other thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1722518&mesg_id=1722518

[LibertyorDeath]

2. This is just the tip of the iceberg

http://liberalslikechrist.org/a-JesusNoRepublican/reagan.html

Ronald Reagan's Criminal Administration:

Ronald Reagan's Cabinet

"By the end of his term, 138 Reagan administration officials had been convicted, had been indicted, or had been the subject of official investigations for official misconduct and/or criminal violations. In terms of number of officials involved, the record of his administration was the worst ever."

[swinney]

9. "Reagan had most scurrilous administration in history." Part 1

By highly regarded Wash Post writer Haynes Johnson in his book-"Ronald Reagan Sleepwalking Through History".

Reagan had 225 investigated and 123 charged with crimes.
7 Cabinet members--7 Department Heads--

High level officials investigated--attorney general-asst attorney general-secretary of defense-asst secretary of defense-secretary of labor-secretary of interior-national security heads (3)-asst secretary of navy-deputy secretary of air force-assistant secretary of navy-deputy secretary of air force-director of cia-assistant secretary of cia-director of hud-assistant director of hud-director of superfund-director of faa-director of nasa-special assistant to president-communications director for president-epa administrator-
assistant secretary of state.

12 (of 21) were found guilty. 2 were pardoned-three resigned.

See Part 2 of this list.

[swinney]

10. Part 2 of most scurrilous administration

Reagan had scandals in these departments of government.
a biggie was "illwind" the investigation of Fraud in Pentagon. Many went to prison.
superfund-hud-interior-labor-faa-nasa-pentagon-S&l(treasury)-epa-postal service-agriculture-hhs-vets admin-fema-legal services-commission on civil rights-transportation-consumer protection-economic development-synthetic fuels-social security-bureau of land management-osha-cia
Book Sources--Haynes Johnson book sleepwalking--Two books titled "scandal"-"stealing from america"--the clothes lost the emperor"-"when the pentagon was for sale"

Nathan Miller in his book "Stealing from America" says Reagan had 225 investigated, charged or resigned to keep from being indicted.
Haynes Johnson says 127 were charged.

I had a detailed list of 75 convicted but, unfortunately, the list was destroyed by a firm working on my hard drive. I promised Joe Conason I would reconstruct it but have not had the time.

P.S. Anyone want Clinton list. Easy. One person was found "guilty" of a "felony" which was committed while working for Clinton. One. Evil devil took a few trips to ball games,etc.

See part 3 for Clinton list

[swinney]

11. Part 3 of most scurrilous administration

Clinton--found guilty against people for crimes committed while working for Clinton.
whitewater-0
travel office-0
fbi files-0
billing records-0
sleepovers-0
coffees-0
phone calls-0
campaign finance-0
chinagate-0
monica--yuk

How much did Newt's Congress spend on hearings and investigations?

$110,000,000. Buy me many golf balls.

Mike Espy Chief of Staff pled guilty to taking trips to ball games, etc. He could not afford (financially) to fight OIC Smaltzsmear.
Had he fought he would have been found not guilty. Smaltzsmear said there was no quid pro quo involved.

It appears Clinton did have "most ethical administration in history".

Remove ML and his legacy would be unbelievable. He produced results.

He promised many things in his book "Putting People First" and achieved most even with antagonistic congress.

Anyone recall 1994 and Newt said-"If we take control of Congress we will investigate every decision this administration makes".

$110,000,000 worth. Newt true to his word.

[FloridaPat]

3. destroyed the lives of 12,000 air traffic controllers who went

on strike. Yes, I'm prejudiced. Then they named the airport in Washington after him!

Interest rates went up to 23% under him. Unemployment hit highs. Assumed to be worse since depression. Simplified tax code - book to help you do your taxes went from 1 inch thick to 2 inches. Now at 3 inches I believe.

Iran Contra. Also possibly had deal with Iran to hold hostages so Carter would be defeated. Lots of illegal crimes. Dems let him walk.

Consulted astrologers to determine how to govern US.

[bleedingheart]

5. My uncle hated him for that union busting and said that all the

unions in the country should have walked off the job in solidarity.

and duh...how could I have forgotten Iran Contra!!!!

[Comicstripper]

6. Iran Contra

Whoa, whoa. Back up. Your version of Iran Contra was less than a paragraph. If you ask me, Iran Contra was one of the most disgusting acts performed by any president, dwarfed only by the internment of the Japanese and the use of the A-bomb. Let's remember the Contras went on to kill 30,000 people, and of course he sold the arms to Iran, AND during his presidency, the CIA provided training, and about $3 billion to bin Laden and his thugs. In fact, one could argue that if it weren't for Reagan, the situation in the Middle East, and worldwide, would be much more stable. (One could also argue that he made it better w/ the disarmament treaties and whatnot, but if you ask me he was just pushing the cart downhill with the anti-Soviet measures.)

[bleedingheart]

4. 7. A man who despised unions yet was once a union president

for the Screen Actors Guild.

8. Caused the destruction of the Air Traffic Controllers union. These are the individuals who are responsible for keeping our airways safe.

[swinney]

7. Swinney 68 list on Reagan

--------------------------RONALD REAGAN RECORDS AS FIRST---------------------------
(1900-1989)

(Peggy Noonan pay attention)

1.First to turn America into a DEBTOR nation
2. First to increase DEBT faster than growth of national income in eight years
3. First to increase DEBT faster than growth of gdp over eight years
4. First to double the deficit in just eigh t years
5. First to “almost”: triple the national DEBT in just eight years
6. First to increase SPENDING by 80%--over 8 years.
7. First to SPEND more in eight years than was spent in prior 50 years.
8. First to have “real” INTEREST RATES of 8% after averaging 1% over 35 years.
9. First to keep PRIME INTEREST RATES at 20%.
10.First to over value the dollar to the yen at rate of 262 yen to 1 dollar.
11.First to have served as Governor and increase STATE SPENDING by 112%
12.First to have HOME LOAN INTEREST RATES as high as 16%
13. First to CUT TAXES by 60% for his rich pals
14. First to allow the SAVINGS AND LOAN INDUSTRY to be raided after signing a deregulatory bill and proclaiming “I think we have hit the jackpot”. Come and get it the vaults are unguarded.
15. First to deal with TERRORISTS
16. First to send an AUTOGRAPHED BIBLE to a man he called “The Satan of Terrorists”.
17. First to have an ADMIRAL plead the Fifth Amendment.
18. First to have a stealing, lying, gutless wife abusing MARINE LT. COLONEL plead the Fifth Amendment.
19. First to have a “sitting” CABINET MEMBER INDICTED
20. First to have an ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE INDICTED.
21. First to have an ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SENT TO PRISON.
22. First to have over 100 MEMBERS OF AN ADMINISTRATION CHARGED WITH CRIMES..
23. First to have more members of his administration charged with crimes than CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF ALL OTHER PRESIDENTS in the twentieth century
24. First to set a record for the LARGEST ONE DAY PERCENTAGE DECLINE in the DOW in history. 10-19-87
25. First to have over $10,000,000 INCREASE IN WEALTH from serving for 8 years as president.
26. First to testify ”under oath” 130 times that ”I DON’T REMEMBER” .
27. First to have an Admiral with a photographic memory testify 128 times “ I DON’T REMEMBER”.
28. First to undergo BRAIN SURGERY a few months after leaving office. No pain no gain.
29. First to, repeatedly, FALSIFY HIS WIFE’S AGE. As tho anyone cared.
30. First to promote his religious faith and never have an ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.
31. First to never use the term JESUS CHRIST in speeches.
32. First to seek GUIDANCE FROM THE STARS not from God
33. First to have had a SHOTGUN WEDDING.
34. First to have worked as a SHILL in Las Vegas.
35. First to call a Stealing, Lying, Psychotic, wife abusing Marine a “LIAR.
36. First to have been OPENLY ALIENATED from his children.
37. First To have served with ALZHIMERS
38. First to have UNEMPLOYMENT AT 10.8% since great depression.
39. First to attack a small unprotected nation with 88,000 inhabitants and 10,000 bb guns then PROCLAIM -“America stands tall again”— “we have whipped the Vietnam Syndrome”-we have defeated communism”. Gosh! What if we had whipped Cyprus?.
40. #1-in FARM FORECLOSURES
41. #1-In BANK FAILURES
42. #1-In SAVINGS AND LOAN FAILURES
43. #1-In Percent increase in PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES
44. #1-In recorded MISSTATEMENTS
45. #1-In never having a single press conference in which he did not make at least one or more INCORRECT STATEMENTS.
46. #1-In needing a staff person standby during press conferences to tell the press “WHAT HE REALLY MEANT”.
47. #1-In having SERVICEMEN KILLED during peacetime.
48. #1-In largest DROP IN POPULARITY in one week.
49. #1-In being first to HONOR NAZI STORM TROOPERS by calling them” Innocent Victims”
50. #1-In being first to be labeled “BRAIN DEAD AFFABLE DUNCE’ by this writer.
51. First to lie-over and over-to reporters “I DO NOT DYE MY HAIR my barber uses a special shampoo”
52. First to have a wife who ”forced” him to WEAR THREE SUITS in one day
53. First to boast “Not bad for a DUMB GUY who worked only 20 hours per week”.
54. First to have his wife sit nearby and WHISPER ANSWERS to questions
55. First to FALL ASLEEP while the Pope spoke
56. First to invite the Pope to visit the White House and “BRING THE WIFE AND KIDS”
57. First to have his press secretary remove him from the microphone because he could not answer questions. Then, as the reporter
yelled out “answer my question” he replied “MY HANDLERS WON’T LET ME SPEAK”. Quick get the white coat.
58. First 20th Century president to have historians RATE HIM BELOW every president of the 20th except for Richard Nixon. 1994 Poll.
59. First to give us a First Lady with a past reputation for giving the BEST BJ in Hollywood.
60. First to suggest his eldest son undergo PSYCHIATRIC examination
61. First to have been voted in British polls (twice) as the ”MOST FEARED LEADER IN THE WORLD” sic em Rambo.


62. First to serve as Governor on a ”conservative” platform and INCREASE SPENDING BY 112%.
63. First Governor TO INCREASE personal income taxes by 60%, tax increase on cigarettes by 200%, state tax collections by 152%.
64. First to have a Special Assistant say on national TV “sometimes you had to HIT HIM ON THE HEAD with a 2 x 4 to get his attention”
65. First to have his official biographer state on national TV ‘After he was shot in 1981he GOT SLOWER AND SLOWER EACH YEAR. His speech got slower. He deliberated more and he hesitated more when he spoke. He lost his physical quickness and would not make decisions on the spot. It was a very, very slow and steady mental and physical decline”.
66. First to have a POPULARITY RATING OF ONLY 35% after his first two years in office.
67. First president to have been DIVORCED
68. First president to have the Geriatrics Department of a major
university study his behavior and conclude that AFTER THREE YEARS IN OFFICE HE HAD ALZHIMERS.

------------------------------------ THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE-------------------------------------------
Clarence Swinney—Burlington NC.—[email protected]

[swinney]

8. Reagan Domestic Record swamped by Clinton record Here are facts

Comparing Democrat’s hero-CLINTON—versus Republican’s hero--REAGAN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.JOBS—grew by 43% more under Clinton.
2.GDP---grew by 57% more under Clinton.
3.DOW—grew by 700% more under Clinton..
4.NASDAQ-grew by 18 times as much under Clinton.
4.SPENDING--grew by 28% under Clinton---80% under Reagan.
5.DEBT—grew by 43% under Clinton—187% under Reagan.
6. DEFICITS—Clinton got a large surplus--grew by 112% under Reagan.
7.NATIONAL INCOME—grew by100% more under Clinton.
8.PERSONAL INCOME—Grew by 110% more under Clinton.
SOURCES—Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.BLS.Gov)--Economic Policy Institute (EPI.org)—Global & World Almanacs from 1980 to 2003 (annual issues)
www.the-hamster.com (chart taken from NY Times)
National Archives History on Presidents. www.nara.gov

Please submit comments to [email protected] or P.O. Box 3411-Burlington NC-27215

[LimpingLib]

12. Tribal warfare became a permanent occupation of our planet.

When defence budgets consume all other potential investments then energy and talent in this world of limited resources go's into endless weapon building and devlopment and endless secret government infrastructure (cia,intelligence, etc.). A world full of starvation and sickness with an average annual income of $3000 per person and every penny we dont have going into Reagans dream. All it takes is Democrats who dont fight hard enough to reform or reverse the process (like canidates proposing increased defense budgets) and somebody like Bush taking office , and a terrorist attack by a group of a certain ethnicity and the process continues.

Regan also transfered wealth from the poor to the military industrial complex through doubling of the massive payroll tax (which takes in as much money as the federal income tax but is paid by the poor and middle class) . He used a progressive program to serve an alternate motive. Follow the money. The increased tax didnt go into SS but went straight-a-way elsewhere.

But no Democrats have bothered reversing much anything of his most damaging policys.And none that we could possibly elect anytime soon indicate anything of the sort as to reversing his policys.