Ronald Reagan's Influences In Science Politics

Figures throughout history have been known and remembered for many things, but these boil down to two basic ideas: those who contribute to more tangible contributions such as in science politics, and acts, and those who contribute to the arts, ideas, and direct influence. While many fit into one of two categories, a select few break the status quo and make an impact that goes above and beyond mere groups such as these. Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 to a poor family in Tampico, Illinois. He became a Hollywood actor and began to develop his conservative political worldview as well as going after what he believed to be communists infiltrating actor’s unions. When acting was not a viable career anymore, he became a motivational
When he saw a surplus, he gave the money back to the people in the form of tax rebates, which he received resounding support for doing (Noonan, 94-99). In 1980, he won the presidency by a wide margin. There, he did what he said that he would do: cut taxes and grow the military (Noonan, 165-166). A deep recession followed, which tanked his approval rating near the end of his first term (Gallup). Yet Reagan still won the 1984 election in a near clean sweep. How could this be possible? Reagan made use of his charisma to sway the public’s opinion of him following the events that would have otherwise ruined the chances of an inexperienced or unprepared incumbent. Ronald Reagan is significant in American history because while he did achieve some laudable things in his term, his personality and political platform were able to mask the real long term implications of his various policies and bolster others; many Republicans look back on his presidency fondly as an ideal for future presidents despite his simplistic ideas and failure in some aspects of his
As mentioned briefly earlier, he was charismatic and personable. He was not only persuasive, but he was also a very memorable character who could even bring his many of his enemies to like him. To these people, he was an “amiable dunce” who was a very nice person but did not understand politics. In 1980, Reagan was running for president against Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter. Carter was ahead in polls up until October by a considerable margin, eight percentage points (Gallup). Then, following Reagan’s campaign and debate where he brought attention to unemployment, inflation, and a weakening military compared to the USSR (Noonan, 131), he uttered the line, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” (Debates.org) After this debate a week before the election, “Reagan moved into a 3-point lead among likely voters immediately afterward, and he won the Nov. 4 election by 10 points” (Gallup). This quote is much more than a one-liner meant to beat an opponent. Here, he asked the American people directly about their lives and whether or not Carter had improved it. He called upon the disenfranchised and empathized with their troubles. At this point, the people became more important than any talking point made by either of them that night. This was a show of modesty by Reagan, and a call to action. He pushed beyond the policy that the debate was meant to be about, and took