"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem," Ronald Reagan announced upon his inauguration 25 years ago today. In the midst of 70 percent tax rates, and during the aftermath of the New Deal and the Great Society, this was a much more courageous statement in 1981 than it is in 2006. Ronald Reagan restored pride in America, presided over the longest period of peacetime growth in U.S. history (since eclipsed), and won the Cold War without firing a shot. He was called the Great Communicator for his gentle, reassuring manner, for his affability, for his charisma, and for his mere presence. But just by reading the words he spoke on January 20, 1981, one understands why the media dubbed Reagan "the Great Communicator." Does it get any clearer, or simpler, than this? "From time to time, we have been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?"

Dan,the great title creator,Flynn. Right on! I think I see the beginning of the title for your forthcoming book...Government is not...
Have a safe trip. Chris

College friends of mine used to love calling him Ronnie Rayguns. A-holes. I was in the minority and was much harrassed for my support.

So, I shot them all.

But, I didn't mean to and the court had mercy on me and let me off with a warning because I was a victim of bad parenting as I never got a G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip when I was a kid.

Cartoons were so great during the Reagan administration. Real Ghostbusters, GI Joe, Super Friends, Care Bears, He-Man, Voltron...

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/gijoe.html

I wanted my MTV. But my parents wouldn't let me have it.

So, I shot them.

But, I didn't mean to and the court had mercy on me because I was an orphan.

You forgot one of the most important cartoons of the 80's: Transformers and lets not forget Thundercats or Robotech. Does anybody remember a cartoon named Turbo Teen?

70 percent tax rates? Is that really true?

Yes, its completely accurate. I think they actually got higher than that in the top tax brackets.

...and let's not forget those onerous 90 to 99 percent tax rates levied on maximum income in the U.K. that drove the Beatles to America back in the 60's. Chris

Good 'ol Ronnie "won" the Cold War by spending us into a $300+ billion hole. It may have hastened the Soviet collapse by oh say a month give or take. And he renew American pride - big fu*king deal. He lied through his ass. And don't forget Iran-Contra and that he armed and trained Al Queda. And he caused the unnecessary deaths of thousands of Americans striken with HIV/AIDS because he didn't give a damn. So what if some Sodamites die. Didn't matter to Good 'ol Ronnie how the families suffered. Ronnie slept during Cabinet meetings and was mentally incapable of grasping simple concepts. That's why everything had to be videotaped - so he could rewind and watch it over and over. The only thing that save Reagan from being the worst President is Bush. I voted for Reagan twice and that was a mistake; a mistake that I didn't make with Bush. There was one good thing about Reagan; he got me to see the Republican party for what it is - a bunch of rich, bigoted, ignorant, lying, self-centered, religious hypocrites. Good riddence Ronnie.

Are you insane. Renewing America's Spirit. Let's see -- double-digit unemployment, double-digit inflation, double-digit interest. That all took off when Carter was elected. Oh, the Oil Crisis --Lines at the pumps for miles on end. Oh, the hostage crisis in Iran.

Remember the tax structure before Reagan. The income tax rate for most Americans was 70%. We were losing jobs, we were not able to buy housing, this country was going down the tubes.

He came in and reminded people what was Great about this country and its people. He made Americans feel good about themselves and their country.

The only thing I regret from Reagan's Presidency was that he wasn't able to hold the line on spending like he wanted to because of the Democratic House of Reps.

I will say that he had more guts to veto a transportation bill with thousands less earmarks that this current president allowed to get through.