Technicalities: Remembering Ronald Reagan

The first election of any type where I was finally old enough to cast a vote was the 1976 presidential election. I had turned 18 that year and was a freshman in college. I was NOT a political junkie - I really hated politics. But countless men and women had given their lives so I had a right to cast a vote, there was no way I was going to sit out any election - whether or not I cared about the actual politics was completely beside the point.

In case no one had guessed, I have always been of the conservative persuasion. I tend to lean toward the libertarian end, but I have never ever been a liberal. The hippies and liberal newscasters of the 60's pushed me firmly over the line and away from liberalism. What they had to say was so illogical and with never any hard data to back it up, it simply made me angry to listen to them.

So, why do I start with the election prior to Reagan's stunning landslide of 1980? Well, I remember him vying for the nomination in 1976. I didn't pay close attention mind you, just enough to know that Reagan was good - very very good - but the country wasn't ready for him yet. We were down - still treading in the mire that the liberals had tried to drown us in during the Vietnam War. But, the bottom of the barrel hadn't been touched. The general public was still in the malaise and still chastising itself, not quite ready to move on yet.

This was the mood when Carter took over the country. With self abasement firmly in the forefront, Carter proceeded to make us sorry that the United States of America even existed. He apologized profusely for everything, he refused to admit that the USA might actually be a pretty good place. Instead he hung his head in shame - and collectively made all Americans feel they should be doing the same. What can you say about a man whose answer to the Russians invading Afghanistan is to refuse to send our athletes to the Olympic games! Yeah, that'll show 'em! What can you say about a man who couldn't even intimidate Iran into giving us back the hostages - AND - manages to allow such a bungled rescue attempt, we looked like idiots to the entire world. Not to mention the economy going to hell in a hand basket - just a minor little irritation on top of everything else. Even business had lost heart.

Then came the time for the politicians to start campaigning for the 1980 election. Finally it was the right time for Ronald Reagan. We had been down for years, we had gone through Vietnam, Watergate, and morale had reached an all time low.

Now Ronald Reagan stands up in front of the world and says "America is GREAT!". And you knew - even if you didn't like him - that HE MEANT EVERY WORD! And because he believed it, and believed it so strongly, the public started to believe it too. With every newspaper, and television station, and radio station screaming about what a dolt that guy Reagan is... he did an end run around them - going straight to the American people. Telling them - they could do anything, they live in the greatest country in the world, they could make it even better - just follow him! And to the everlasting amazement of liberals - the people followed.

The next 8 years, with all of the obstructions thrown in his path, no conservative talk radio to boost his cause, no internet to disabuse people of the lies the news media repeated ad nauseum, Reagan flourished. He continued to believe in America and Americans. He believed in reducing government interference in people's lives. He believed in the good things Americans could do if they were allowed to keep the money they earned by working so hard. He believed we could beat all comers in the game of government.

And he was right! He continued to talk to the people. He was aptly named The Great Communicator.

On looking back though, the most amazing thing he brought to the Presidency, was his 180 degree difference in outlook for America. Optimism is just not the right word to cover this mindset. Yes, Reagan was optimistic, but further he knew that turning around our country, unsticking it from the quicksand, was going to take work - hard work - lots of hard work.

I think the word that might begin to cover his presidency is "certainty". He knew we could do it and in the knowing, made it possible. I have missed his voice of certainty for a long time.

Now, as he said in the unforgettable tribute to the astronauts of the Challenger - he has "slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." Rest in Peace.