President Ronald Reagan - The Man Called "Rawhide"

Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911. Later on, Ronald's family moved to Dixon where he was a lifeguard and saved 77 lives. Then he went to Eureka College (at a time when going to college was very rare). And yeah, Ronald didn't have much money and could just barely afford it.

After he graduated in 1932, Ronald was lucky enough to get a radio job in Iowa (remember, this was during the Great Depression with 25% unemployment). As a sports announcer. He got lucky again, when he followed the Chicago Cubs baseball team to California and took a screen test. And that led to a 7 year contract with the Warners Brothers and made his Hollywood career. Ronald Reagan was probably the hardest working star at the time and appeared in numerous films. They say most of the films he made was "B" films... but some of the movies he was in, were pretty good...

When WW2 came, Ronald joined the Army and made training films. Ronald was near-sighted and couldn't serve overseas.

After the war was over, Ronald found himself unable to resume his career as an actor... his celebrity moment has passed.

He became a TV host for the popular General Electric Theater for 8 years. He made literally, hundreds of appearances all over the United States on behalf of GE. And talked with numerous folks about their concerns and problems. At the same time, Ronald got a taste in his budding political career as the President of the Screen Writers Guild (SAG).

Ronald was married twice. He married and divorced an actress, Jane Wyman. And married his partner for life, Nancy Davis, another actress in 1952.

Surprisingly, Ronald Reagan was a Democrat when he first started his political career! In 1962, Ron switched parties to Republican because he desired less government.

He was elected Governor of California in 1967-1975. He had a high profile incident in which he sent in the cavalry against the protesters in Berkeley because they were breaking the law.

Ronald threw in his hat in 1975 against President Jerry Ford as the nominee for the Republicans. But it was a very close lost. Needless to say, President Ford lost to Jimmy Carter.

In 1980, Ronald Reagan had his chance and defeated Jimmy Carter for the President of the United States.

And the 1980s was a very volatile but not boring times at all! I still remember the air traffic strike (President Reagan fired them for breaking the law when they went on strike). I remembered the cold war against the terrible Iron Curtains. I remember the rescue of Grenada from the Cubans. And oh boy! I remembered Reaganomics... Whew! Definitely not boring at all!

But most of all, I remembered being proud of being an American. President Ronald Reagan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You did good.

All in all, not a bad job. Not bad at all...

Ronald W/ Reagan, Sportscaster for Station Who Premium Photographic Print
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Mr. Reagan told the American people on Nov. 5, 1994, in a handwritten letter, that he had entered the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. "I now begin the journey," he wrote, "that will lead me into the sunset of my life."

This was sad... I remembered being very emotional about it...

I believe Ronald just firmly set his jaw and went about it with dignity accorded to the life he lead...

President Reagan die peacefully at his home in Bel Air (California) on June 5, 2004. He was 93 years old. I would say he had 93 rich and full years of life.

He grew up in a small town of Tampico, Illinois. He was a radio sports announcer. He was a famous Hollywood actor. He was a Governor of California. And he was the 40th President of the United States.

Whew!

The answer of course is less government. Less taxes. Less regulations. And personal responsibility!

You see, the more the government intrudes on the life of law-abiding citizens... the more likely the government will put the brakes on the private sector. The results? A dissonance that creates misery, frustration and slower economy. This is EXACTLY the reason the Great Depression lasted so long... constant tinkering by the Government that failed miserably...

Now, let's talk about how conservatism compares to the other 'isms" of governing...

Imagine a wide spectrum that includes socialism, fascism and communism. Well, conservatism would be to the far right of the spectrum and socialism, fascism and communism would all be to the left.

But wait! I thought fascism is more in alignment with the conservatives.

If that is what you thought, you would be wrong. Let's look at the full name of the Nazi party of Germany - National Socialist German Workers' Party. Do you see the word socialist in there? That's right! Nazism is simply a form of socialism combined with racism. The belief that their race is superior to others. You see, the government has too much control over the private sector and personal liberty in socialism. And why in the world would anyone want a bunch of people who cannot even balance the budget, run the private sector?

So what exactly does socialism, fascism and communism have in common? Too much government! And as we found out, when the government has too much control... people die. Lots of people die!

It is easy to believe that the government has all the answers and will take care of us. But history tells us a starkly different story...

The Death Toll of Civilians Killed by Government (Excluding War)
===================================================
Communist China - 35 million
Germany (20th century) - 21 million
The Holocaust - 6 million
Soviet Union - 62 million
Cambodia - 1-2 million

Source: The Statistics of Democide by Rudy J. Rummel, Economist magazine

So how much did this concern Ronald Reagan? A lot. He fought against communism. He fought against too much government. Ronald reminded us what being a conservative really means. And for that we really thank him... and for that, we really miss him. Because as of now... the Republicans have totally lost their way and embraced big government. In short, there is no difference between the two major parties.

This must change. And hopefully we will have someone rise and take up the mantle that Ronald Reagan once held.

Can that be Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska? Could that be Bobby Jindal, the Governor of Louisiana? We'll see!

U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Right, Talks with Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev Framed Photographic Print
History in the making...

California Governor Candidate Ronald Reagan, Wife Nancy and Son Ronnie at Home on Ranch Photographic Print
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