Do the times select the leader or does the leader change the times?

[spotbird]

The 1980's were the beginning of an era where the individual was more important than any shared need. That selfishness continues today, * couldn't ask for individual sacrifice after 9/11, instead he asked the country to shop. The children raised during the 1980s consider it foolish not to cheat, their parents would sooner sue than to permit consequences. There is no longer a greater good, the reason America don't care about the environment is that it will impact people we don't know in a future we won't know.

Reagan didn't cause this, he read it and exploited it,

[Snoggera]

1. That's an old question

Are leaders leaders because they are leaders, or does history create leaders to guide the masses through the maze?

My thoughts are that leaders are created by those that want to espouse a certain belief, and find someone malleable enough to be a spokesperson for that. It's been proven throughout history. A leader is not chosen by the people, a leader is groomed (usually), and bursts upon the scene to care for a particular need at a particular time because those who are behind the scenes require that to remain in their positions of influence.

[sundancekid]

2. yes and yes: the times select leaders and true leaders affect the times

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Reagan was merely a reflection of America.

After Vietnam, after Watergate, after all the disgrace. He exploited America's justified feeling of shame and helplessness. The American people yearned for a nice, safe, picture of a mythological "American Dream". Some kind of Mayberry, USA. With nice obedient wives making cookies, nice obedient kids looking up to dad, nice friendly folks sayin' nice things in a nice White society that didn't trouble itself about anything exept the church bazaar and what size white picket fence to erect.

Reagan represented that "dream". Some of us saw it for what it was. A nightmare built on the backs of the poor of the world.

Bush is trying to resurrect it.