
Life’s journey has shown me many aspects of the American dream. I grew up in the suburbs of a moderate sized city just one hour north of Los Angeles, California. The things seen, heard, and experienced there were a sight to marvel and also a difficult life to live. In my home town, one can travel to a small hill overlooking the vast valleys and rolling hills of this California landscape. On the top of this hill sits a library and a museum. For over a decade this museum has been standing as it holds many marvelous cultural aspects of American society during the 1980’s. Among these vibrant stories and backgrounds, there is a figure whose name and actions can be echoed and heard all across the world today. This man is Ronald Reagan. Reagan himself was buried at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California among a worldwide audience that watched his body enter the ground while canons and gunshots roared through the California sky. For me, going to the museum was always an honor. 

You start down halls and corridors that show pictures of joyful Reagan waving at the camera and walking with his wife Nancy.  After a few videos and exhibits, you walk into a hanger bay that holds a life-size model of Air Force one. One may enter the plane to see what exactly it would be like to ride in such a robust plane. Near the end of the tour, you enter a garden that overlooks the hills and valleys that are across California. You then see Reagan’s tomb, a large marble wall that holds the seal of the president of the United States. The museum itself is a reminder of how great one individual can lead a nation from fear and doubt, into a new era of liberty, hope, and strength. 

    To understand the appreciation of Reagan, one must understand his importance to American history. Ronald Reagan himself started as a minor actor in Hollywood during his early years. Soon after that he became leader of the screen actors’ guild. During this time, the conspiracies of underground communist groups began to surface. One such group was attempting to corrupt and intimidate its way among the unions in Hollywood. Reagan immediately fought back and he rallied support against the communists and helped end the violent outbreaks.  This was only the beginning of Reagan’s crusade against the communist regimes that imposed their strength on the rights of innocents. Reagan later became governor of California and was soon nominated as the Republican candidate in 1976 but lost to Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter.  Four years later, Reagan took to the stage again, determined to win the hearts of the Americans who had lost hope in the country that fought and worked for. 

What made Reagan different from other politicians is that he spoke about issues with honesty. When debating against Jimmy Carter on his second term Reagan asked the American people: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” (Besh) Reagan immediately addressed the issues that many Americans were concerned about. Is it easier to go and buy things in the store now? Is there more or less unemployment? Is America more respected throughout the world? Are we more safe or strong? Reagan addressed these issues because he understood what the American people wanted and also because he understood that America had enough of the politics in Washington and how the people just wanted things to get done. It was Reagan’s character, charm, and determination that allowed him to succeed the way he did. “Reagan was an effective communicator of conservative ideas, but he was also an enormously practical politician who was committed to success.” (Miller Center) Reagan also spoke to the common man. He spoke of how hard work, religious freedom, a restricted government, and of the wisdom of the Founding Fathers. It is understood that Ronald Reagan’s character and spirit allowed him to accomplish what he did in the 1980’s. 

After beating Carter in 1980, Reagan spent eight years in the White House. During his presidency Reagan himself has had some major accomplishments. Reagan fought against the communists and ended the Cold War. Under his new “Reaganomics” the country’s taxes were cut all across the board and deregulation of American corporations led to a twenty year- long expansion in the economy.  Reagan jump-started the military. He provided the military the means to combat the Soviet Union if the need arose. This “Peace through Strength” doctrine ensured the world that America was not to be taken lightly. Through this doctrine America remained a superpower to be respected upon the world stage. Reagan also simplified the tax code and was against government’s major taxes placed on corporations.

 With these accomplishments in mind, one can be able to examine these issues with problems America is facing today and how the current administration can grapple. 

It is evident that there are major government institutions that interfere in the lives of everyday people just as much as major points in history. During Reagan’s time, the former presidents and political leaders ignored the communist threat and allowed them to conquer several countries. Afghanistan was the start, then South-East asia, Poland, Cuba, Grenada; these countries soon were succumbed to the fear and tyranny of communism. Reagan saw how weak the nation’s government became and he sought to bolster faith in America again. During his presidency Reagan helped pushed government to get back to work. Reagan proposed new ideas about defense, government spending, and economics that were much needed during the eighties.  Along with domestic affairs, Reagan always addressed the government’s domestic scandals. Today, the government has overstepped its bounds by encroaching into the personal lives of Americans and the fair process of democracy. The 2013 IRS scandal targeted conservative groups and denied the corporations’ tax-exemptions.  Donna Brazile’s leaking of questions to Hillary Clinton during the election season was clear proof of government interference in the election. Finally, a recent bombshell through WikiLeaks confirms that the CIA has been capable to hack into private mobile and computer devices. These scandals are a clear example of out of control government influence and intervention in the lives of Americans.  Reagan was against such menacing actions in government and always warned the people to be vigilant in there calls to stop government interference. He understood that the government has been part of the country’s problems, and needed to be restricted. 

Perhaps the most adequate method to prevent such malicious actions is to shrink the amount of government organizations and increase the number of individuals overlooking them. Private corporations such as WikiLeaks have shared with the public issues that endanger, threaten, or impose human society. If more agencies such as WikiLeaks existed, it would be reasonable to believe that more and more crimes would be caught. This of course is only a theory since government corruption has always existed. President Trump insisted on “draining the swamp” during his campaign trail, it will certainly be one of the administration’s hardest challenges to face in the years to come. 

Not only has there been government influence domestically, but internationally. Through a confirmation through WikiLeaks, there has been major government spending to abortion clinics across the globe. This lavish generosity is unethical to the American taxpayer who is against abortion all together. One should not be forced to pay for a program they do not use or support. The funds of Planned Parenthood are taken from taxpayer dollars, which to some is an outrage. Yet, the idea of American’s tax dollars paying for a woman’s abortion in France is completely heinous. Immediate investigation and action must be taken to ensure that taxpayer dollars will not be wasted and used frivolously. These funds can be returned to the tax payer and taking care of the American people can be a first priority. President Trump has already cut off regulation on businesses and disbanded many worthless members of the overstaffed establishment. Trump means business and he is ensuring that the “forgotten man will be forgotten no longer”. With the border wall already underway to finally stop illegal immigration, Trump is helping promote safe entry into the United States. Because of this nation’s decline in education and increase in crime against police, Trump’s new cabinet members are preparing to help fix the broken school systems and troubled cities. It is about time an administration pick up the pieces and attempt to fix this country just as Reagan intended.      

The economy was a major factor during the 1980 election. People were promised government assistance and that they would see an improvement in the economy under Carter. Yet, prices for everyday items went up and unemployment began to grow. Because of this, people turned to an alternative leader, Reagan.  Reagan believed that any American was capable of reaching new heights, as did the Founding Fathers. “Reagan believed just as Jefferson believed: that the government was to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not the distributor of gifts and privilege.” (Busch xiii) Reagan himself grew up in the rural farmland of Illinois before moving to California where he got a career in acting. The rest is history, Reagan became one of the most inspiring Americans of the 20th century. He accomplished this without the assistance of the government. Today the total population of people who receive welfare is over 20% of the U.S. population. (Statistic Brain) It can be understood that this welfare money comes from the taxpayer dollars and the more people who are on welfare, the more money taxpayers will have to pay for those on welfare. It is an inverse proportionate system that cannot continue to grow. For President Reagan, he insisted that the best social program for an individual is a job. If one can provide for himself, like he should, than the necessity for welfare will not be needed. Obviously, there will always be those in need, but the government cannot raise taxes on the hardworking to feed the poor. It is not government’s job to do so. Reagan improved the economy and in turn lowered the population who needed welfare.  The unemployment rate in the start of the Reagan administration was at 11%. It was reduced to below 6% at the end of Reagan’s presidency. The reason was, by most economists, was that Reagan encouraged capitalism and entrepreneurship of the American people. He supported this by cutting regulations and taxes which made it easier for companies to hirer and expand. Obama’s administration faced the same issue. In 2010, the unemployment rate was over 10% according to tradingeconomics.com. It decreased down to 5% by 2015 and is continuously decreasing. 

For President Trump he can encourage the rate to decrease by continuing with Reagan’s tactics: allow businesses to grow and hire at their own pace and not be interfered with stifling government influence. Trump has recently ordered construction of the Keystone Pipeline, which will help drop gas and oil prices all across the country, making the United States less dependent on foreign countries. Trump’s deregulation has also helped put men and women back to work. 

The final issue Reagan faced was the Cold War crisis. America was afraid of a potential attack by the Soviets. Reagan insisted that the nation beat the Soviets in nuclear missile production and assist insurgencies around the world to liberate their own countries from communism. Reagan helped accomplish all these goals and ended the Cold War. 

  Reagan initiated the “Star Wars” program which created defense satellites capable of destroying Soviet nuclear weapons before they reached the United States. This intimidation tactic on Reagan’s behave threatened the Soviet’s power. Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan met for a couple of peace talks hoping to promote peace between the two most powerful nations in the world. Gorbachev was completely devastated to hear about the “Star Wars” program.  Gorbachev offered to draw his forces out of the foreign countries and leave the United States alone if Reagan disbanded the “Star Wars” program. “We are done here.” Reagan exclaimed across the room and he marched out of the meeting. Unlike others before him, Reagan knew how vile and corrupt the Soviets were. Reagan then took the fight to the Soviets. Perhaps the most brutal action left behind by the Soviet Union was the Berlin Wall. The wall cut Germany into two territories, free West and communist East. Thousands of families tried to escape to West Germany, but the communists shot anyone who went near the wall. After years of torment and destitution, Reagan flew to Berlin and demanded that the wall be torn down. Reagan fought for liberty and democracy in every nation the Soviets took over. Today, Germany is a free country, no longer bound by communist chains. 

Today the United States is engaged in a very different war. Today the nation is fighting a religious war. Radical Islamic terrorists are determined to overthrow the western world and establish a one world religion dedicated to Islam. They make their presence known through terrorism with no restrictions or limitations on how they carry out their heinous crimes. Too many countries have allowed terrorists to hide among the crowds of immigrants and refugees and now Germany, England, France, Belgium, and Sweden are suffering immeasurably. Crime rate have completely skyrocketed across Europe. Rapes and violent protests have been unleashed upon Europe. Recently a terrorist attack at Westminster Abbey in London left four individuals dead and dozens injured. The people are not only afraid but confused. How could this have happened? It is simple. They never took the warnings seriously. One should be allowed to practice their religion, that right is not being denied or infringed, but when that same religion tolerates murder, rape, and totalitarian government over its people, action must be taken. Reagan understood the innate nature of communism: control. Radical Islamic Terrorism is no different. It attacks without notice and up holds its own law rather than the nation’s law. Now, innocent people are dying every day because of radicals such as these. America must not make the same mistake. Trump continues to push for protective action, but defiant judges and congressmen want to see the president fail at every turn. Is playing games such as these really worth the lives of innocent Americans? It is in our nation’s best interest to be vigilant against such individuals. 

Many people will argue against both Reagan and Trump. Many say Reagan’s economics cost more money in defenses than that was necessary, yet I defer. To some, such as those who serve and have served in the military, the safety and dominance of the United States is worth every ounce of life and every dollar. Too many lives were lost during wars and campaigns to protect America’s freedom, but those lives kept this republic alive. Reagan did what he thought was right. The Soviets would have perhaps attacked the United States if we did not bolster in defense spending or nuclear missiles. This can be seen in Gorbachev’s move to quickly eliminate “Star Wars”. Trump has also faced many criticisms since day one. Most were political move against him to delegitimize his presidency. The president of the United States is the most powerful position in the world and the most stressful and difficult one. Trump is looking out after the people of this country by building the wall and issuing extreme vetting to the foreigners coming in. Those who blindly follow against these must ask themselves two questions. Who caused the 9-11 terrorist attack? The Boston bombing? The Orlando and San Bernardino shootings?  And the London attack? Second, would you want to have this happen to your family, friends, or even yourself? The answers are obvious and the reaction is clear. 

I urge others to consider that government, economics, and safety of the United States today. I implore others to look deeply into these issues rather than putting on their political blindfolds and ignoring the issues. The United States is not the perfect nation, but it is certainly the most sought after and beloved nation in human history. Beyond the shuffling of politics in Washington D.C., there is freedom in choosing the career you desire or the words you say on social media. There is enjoyment in believing what you yourself believe and choosing your own path. This perfect life of yours can only be kept if the liberty lived is protected. 

“My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right, and do it with all our might. Let history say of us, ‘These were the golden years- when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, and America reached for her best.” –Ronald Reagan, Second Inaugural Address (Busch, xiii)
