I wept the night Reagan won the election - the first time

[aintitfunny]

Drama queen pronouncements about the death of idealism and liberalism. Needless to say I was never a fan. Had an "I agree with Jane Wyman" bumper sticker and still have a "Kiss Reagan Goodbye" Teeshirt.

Nonetheless, while I did not agree with him or his policies, I did not despise the man. I kind of liked him. Perhaps because I had grown up on Death Valley Days and Bedtime for Bonzo. Perhaps he just had a likable personality. Would not have voted for him under any circumstance, but could not help but appreciate his human appeal.

I do not find myself saddened by his death. He was fortunate to have lived an extraordinary life. His passing after 10 years with Alzheimer's is a blessing not a tragedy.

If I had my druthers today, I would take Reagan back in a New York minute over the current white house resider. There is nothing likable about smirk. I am a little saddened by what advantage this administration will take of this event and the subsequent state funeral. But he died on their watch and they are not going to lose this opportunity to plump their approval numbers over the dead body of Ronald Reagan.

[coloradodem2005]

1. Sums up how I feel.

[swag]

2. I had midterms the next day, but I ended up splitting a box of wine

(a box of boxed wine) with my then dormitory roommate as we prophesied upon a gloomy future.

Hated Reagan/Bush I.


But Bush II is even worse.

[aintitfunny]

7. Amen

[kcwayne]

3. IMO, taking Reagan over Bush is immaterial

Both of these clowns were/are front men for the invisible hand that really makes the decisions and runs the government.

Reagan was an affable dunce, he never had a clue outside of what was on the teleprompter. When caught off-script, he would make some glibly humorous ad lib, and would be allowed to dodge the question.

The press never asked him hard questions, he rarely gave press conferences, and spent a year of his eight years in office doing photo ops from his ranch. Sound familiar?

Comparing Bush and Reagan is meaningless to me. They are the Wizard of Oz in reverse. They are/were happy faces put out front to pacify the hero worshiping sheep, and behind the curtain is the the evil monster pulling the levers. That evil monster is the same entity in both of their cases.

[aintitfunny]

6. Was not really a comparison

just a simple fact. Reagan was wrong, but still did not carry the same destructive desires as the current nimrod. While what you say is true it does not negate the original thought.

[senseandsensibility]

4. I posted something about this last night

Sorry to repeat, but when Reagan was running the first time, I was eighteen and very apolitical. I couldn't even be bothered to vote against him. I went to the polling place with my boyfriend, who wanted to vote against Reagan, even though none of our friends were voting. I could have gone in with him and voted, but I was so disengaged that I just waited out in the car. When I think of this today, I am embarrassed. And I do think of it, especially when I see apathetic young people. I try not to judge them too harshly.:-)

[aintitfunny]

5. I was always politically involved

and aware from as early as pre-teen years. Just my family and my personal bent. I do understand that it was unusual. By the way, I love your Jane Austen name.