Politics of Ronald Wilson Reagan - Essay Example

[Manager] 26 May RONALD REAGAN Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on the 6th of February 1911 to parents Nelle and John Reagan who hails from Tampico, Illinois. “In 1928, Reagan studied high school in Dixon. His extra-curricular activities include being a part of the football team, track and field, and acting in school plays” (The White House). He earned a degree in economics and sociology in the years 1928 and 1932 at Eureka College a small liberal arts institution. “When he was a sophomore, it was the time when Reagan’s interest in drama bloomed. He also served as student body president in his college years. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's populist rhetoric attracted Reagan to him and later influenced Reagan's speaking style” (Reagan 2020). During the early stages of his career, he landed a job as radio sports sportscaster, “first at WOC in Davenport, IA, later a full time staff announcer at WHO in Des Moines” (United States. Presidents p. vii). “However, his biggest break came in the year 1937, when he joined a screen test and succeeded him a contract in Hollywood. Reagan was a famous movie actor during the next two decades and he graced in a total of 53 films” (The White House). “Account of his personal life included a first marriage to actress Jane Wyman while filming the movie Brother Rat. His first child Maureen was born and Michael Reagan was adopted before their divorce in 1949” (United States Presidents viii). “In 2001, his first child Maureen passed away”( The White House). “In 1952, he remarried to a fellow actress in the person of Nancy Davis, with whom had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott” (The White House). “Reagan and Davis appeared only in one film entitled Hell Cats of the Navy which was filmed in 1957. In 2002, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary”. (United States President p.viii) “After World War I, Reagan returned to Hollywood and his interest in the entertainment industry waned”(United States President p. viii). “He became actively involved in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry during his stint as the president of the Screen Actors Guild. There was also an apparent change in his political views as he shifted from liberal to conservative” (The White House). “In 1952, he campaigned as a Democrat for Eisenhower. Reagan accepted a job as spokesman for the General Electric Company” (Reagan 2020) which allowed him to “tour the country by giving speeches as General Electric’s spokes person” (United States President p. viii). He became an advocate for conservatism as this was evident during his speeches. “In 1960 Reagan joined the campaign of Richard Nixon when he ran for Presidency. In 1962, he officially made a swing to another party which is Republican. It was during his speech in the year 1964, where he appeared on a television address for Goldwater, A Time for Choosing, which officiated his bid to enter a political career. There were several groups who supported his political career, particularly, the group of California businessmen who placed him in his gubernatorial bid. His first autobiography entitled Where's the Rest of Me? was published in 1965” (Reagan 2020). “Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966 by a margin of a million votes” (The White House). It was during this time when he conquered the incumbent governor then, Edmund G. Brown by a landslide of over a million votes. His success in the election as governor prepared him to become a leading contender for the Republican Presidential race in 1968 (Reagan 2020)”. “In the same year of 1968, he made a tentative run for the presidency, while waiting until the Republican National Convention to announce his candidacy” (Reagan 2020). He gave his support to Richard Nixon as he joined his massive supporters. “He sought for re-election as governor and won in 1970” (The White House). “In the year 1974, months after the expiration of his term as Governor, he began to write for a syndicated newspaper column wherein he graced radio commentaries in radio stations throughout the country. It was exactly on November 20, 1975 when he announced his intention to run as a Republican president. Though he did not win during the party's nomination, his strong showing laid the groundwork for the election in 1980” (Reagan 2020). It was in the year 1980, when Reagan won the Republican nomination for Presidency. “His support was overwhelming and was inaugurated as the 40th President Of the United States in 1981 in a landslide victory over the incumbent Jimmy Carter. This was made possible by the efforts of his numerous voters who supported him and worried about the inflation and the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran that finally capped the sweet victory of the Republican ticket into office. The astonishing lead of Reagan of a total of 489 electoral votes as against 49 votes for President Jimmy Carter made his mark in history” (United States President p. viii). He was the oldest man to be inaugurated as President, the first two-term President since Eisenhower, and the longest living President in the United States. He chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. “The platform called for a new consensus with all those across the land who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, work, neighborhood, peace, and freedom” (Reagan 2020). During the period of eight (8) years while in office, the significant highlights of his career included the following: “On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office, only 69 days later, he was wounded by an assasin’s bullet, but quickly recovered and returned to office. His display of exceptional grace and wit during his near death experience caused his popularity to soar high” The White House). “He was also the first President to have appointed a woman to the Supreme Court. He also worked to cut inflation and reduce government spending. He also improved the military by negotiating for the reduction of Nuclear Weapons with the Soviet Union. He defeated the take-over of the Grenada and called upon Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall” (United States President p.viii). The notable works of Reagan included the following: He was responsible for “obtaining legislation to motivate the economic growth, curtailed the inflation rate, boosted employment for Americans, and strengthened the national defence of the government. He also successfully sought after the cutting taxes and Government expenditures while he refused to deviate from it when the strengthening of defence forces led to a large deficit” (The White House). Towards the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan coined his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution. “It was aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance and dependency on Government aid. It became the fulfilment of his campaign pledge of 1980 to the restoration of the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism” (The White House). “Ronald Reagan gave support to anti-Communist revolts and insurgencies within the Central America, Asia, and African which is in consonance to the Reagan Doctrine. The Reagan years saw a re-establishment of opulence and prosperity, and the objective of peace reigned through his great leadership. This was a novelty in foreign policy he implemented when he sought to achieve peace through strength” (The White House). At the age of 79, he left the Presidency and returned to California. “A library was dedicated to him in his honor known as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. In the year 1994, he released a letter to the American People pronouncing that he had Alzheimer’s disease. He concluded his letter by saying “I know will begin this journey that will lead me in the sunset of my life. I know that for America, there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thanks you my friends. May God always bless you.” He died in June 5, 2004 and his remains were lain at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California” (United States President p. viii). Ronald Reagan has been an inspiration to his countrymen and the entire world. I, for one, look-up to his achievements because he reached the peak of his success through hard work and utmost perseverance. Referring back at history, he only started as an actor. But because of his exceptional innate qualities, he was able to build his own mark in history and remembered by people because of his seemingly humane persona. Although the press has repeated tried to discredit his qualifications to reach the much-coveted title of President of the land by linking him to his Hollywood background, that did not become a hindrance for him to discount his detractors’ misconception on him. He was an exemplar of courage when he was almost killed by an assassin’s bullet only a few days after he assumed his Presidency despite the attempt of his life. This is a manifestation of insurmountable courage and compassion to serve his countrymen. His thirst for knowledge did not wane as he was influential in drafting his policies and continued to work for progress and change throughout the country during his term. As a student, I am inspired when I discover how great men started and worked their way up in the ladder of success. Reagan was a simple man with humble beginnings. He is as human as anyone of us. His background shows that though he was an actor, the same did not prevent him to gain the approval of society as he sought for a higher position in life. His down-to-earth characteristic earned him the respect of the nation. He proved to the people that anybody can become a president if you have the wit and vigor and have the capacity to manage practical affairs one day at a time. One does not have to be a highly intelligent and a genius to be able to run a country. He used his common sense and positive disposition to make his government proficient at its job. The humble outlook in life of Reagan won the hearts of his people because he presented himself as an effective conversationalist. He was also referred to as the “Great Communicator” because he knew how to establish contact with his people and the media every time he delivers a speech before them. We all know that communication is a vital key to improve any relationship. The relationship of the State and the people is indispensable to reach the success of a nation. His diplomatic affairs made a major impact in American record because he was able to accomplish the largest tax cut ever documented in history. This is one of his chief achievements which redounded to the benefit of the country’s economy. It only goes to show that he has set his heart to serve the people. He did everything within his power to ensure that all his decisions are geared towards the public interest and welfare. Such courageous and generous traits are laudable because he knows how to give back to the nation the trust and confidence that they have bestowed upon him. A leader will only become effective if his followers have faith in every step that he takes. This is exactly what Reagan’s term demonstrated because he was given a total of eight (8) years to be in power. People appreciated him and gave him high approval ratings because they see that he is a working President. As a young student, I consider Reagan as a hero. He has offered his life and career to be in service to the American nation. He has given major contributions to improve the lives of his countrymen and the entire world. We cannot discount the role he portrayed to abolish communism and how he worked so hard to maintain peace among other nations. His diplomacy and peacekeeping attributes helped so many people throughout the world. He is one of the well-loved and popular American Presidents of all time. Aside from his good looks, he was perceived a “good guy” who was always ready to lend a helping hand. This is one beautiful quality that the youth of today should emulate. Reagan did not start-out big. He originated from humble beginnings and worked his way on top. His courage, self-confidence, discipline and generous heart are the qualities I admire the most. If you believe in yourself, everything is possible. Nowadays, it is hard to say that if there are still great leaders like Reagan. He is truly a treasure worth remembering because of the reforms he made in the US government which became successful and earned him the era known as the “Reagan Revolution”. It was during the period of the 1980’s when the upper side of the U.S. flourished. It became a festivity of wealth and prosperity due the rise of the political ascendancy of one third of the richest class among the Americans. Reagan’s time achieved the exaltation in areas of finance, capitalism and free market. Reagan gained the nation’s respect and admiration which is considered the greatest achievements of the country’s prime leader. Personally, I have a high opinion of Mr. Reagan as a person. His simplicity, kindness, benevolence and candid demeanor placed him on top of the list of the most-admired people during his time. I venerate him for his good deeds for the nation and his noble qualities as a human being. Just like anyone of us, we can all become heroes and make our country proud in our own little ways. I firmly believe that education is a major factor to reach greater heights. And just like my hero, Ronald Reagan, I will be able to surpass all challenges in life if I finish a degree because it is one of the supreme treasures in life that nobody can steal. The youth is considered as the hope of the nation. We can all become heroes in our own right only if we believe in our own capabilities and maintain the purest intentions. Just like Reagan, who started out as a simple person with a dream and made his dreams a reality, I can also attain this only if I keep the passion for life burning. Dream, believe and survive! This will be the motto that will guide me to become the best person I can be, not only for myself, but for the country as well. From this day on, I challenge myself to become better as I embark to discover what lies beyond the complexities of this gift we call life. Works Cited: Cannon, Lou. President Reagan: The Role of A Lifetime. New York, N.Y: Public Affairs Publishing. 1991. Print. Dallek, Robert. Ronald Regan: The Politics of Symbolism : With A New Preface. Canada: First Harvard University Press. 1984. Print. National Review Books. Tear Down this Wall: the Reagan Revolution: A National Review History. New York, NY: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc. 2004. Print Reagan 2020 US. Ronald Reagan.2011. Web, Retrieved on 22 March 2011, from Reagan, Ronald. Kiron K. Skinner, Annelise Graebner Anderson and Martin Anderson. Regan, In His Own Hand: The Writings of Ronald Reagan. New York, NY: Touchstone. 2001. Print Shirley, Craig. Regan’s Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All. Nashville, Tennessee: Nelson Current. 2005. Print. The White House. Ronald Reagan. 2011. Web. Retrieved on 22 March 2011, from, United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan Volume 1. United States. Office of the Federal Register Read More

 

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