Happy Birthday President Reagan

Happy Birthday President Reagan! Today is a great day to truly appreciate what being a conservative is all about. Not only did Reagan shape our country from a policy and ideology standpoint, but from a platform of strong morals and ethics, which are often overlooked in our country today!

Conservatives are often chided for their 'Reagan-love' by those who don't truly understand or appreciate the his significant contributions to creating the America we are today.

(as an aside- Those that mock Reagan love are often the same people who have small shrines set up honoring Kennedy- who really, in comparison, was a fairly unaccomplished President)

President Reagan came into office after years of American dealing with Jimmy Carter. Carter beat the American people down, and, in many ways, proclaimed the end of America's position as a World superpower. Under Carter we had 20 percent interest rates, 22 percent inflation, and the military was unprepared and weakened due deep cuts in military spending.

America needed a hero and Reagan's magnificent optimism, and undying hope, gave America renewed faith in itself. He pursued policies that emphasized personal freedom, expanded the scope of the military, improved the US economy and brought an end to the Cold War. His economic policies aimed at reduction in social spending and enhancing entrepreneurship. By dismantling some federal programs, and reducing others, he forced the states and the cities to assume more responsibility for themselves.

Aside from his practical accomplishments, Reagan's personality almost certainly had a great deal to do with his perceived greatness. He was "The Great Communicator". His speeches rang with optimism and comfort and patriotism. Unlike the current administration, however, they weren't all about rhetoric and sound bytes, his words were supported by actions and organized steps to move us closer to where we wanted to be.

Like all Presidents, Ronald Reagan made some bad decisions in office. But, his greatest contribution was his unchecked love for America and it's people. After the humiliating Carter years, Reagan made us again feel proud to be Americans, and confident in our nation's future. Hmm..a President making us feel proud to be Americans???? Interesting concept isn't it President Obama???