Reagan and Poland

I disagree with a lot of what he did, and think he actually did some terrible things. But Reagan also did some really good, principled, courageous actions. I think he really did legitimately hate communism, and the oppression of so many people under its rule. I think he hated it from his own belief system, and not because it was politically beneficial for him. It did turn out to be beneficial, but I think most of that is his legacy, and not necesarily something he could cash in at the time.

Despite what all the media is saying, he really wasn’t that over-the-top popular during his presidency. Why do we feel like he was? I think, in fact, his legacy is stronger than his actual popularity at the time, and I think this is due to him standing up for what he believed and sacrificing some. I don’t think americans cared one bit about Poland during rising inflation at home, but Reagan seemed to. He seemed to honestly care about the opression of these people and hated communism. Sure, I think that hatred is a somewhat simple way of grouping his beliefs, and I think hatred should never be the center of your motivation, but at least he believed in something abstract, that wasn’t for immediate (if any) political gain.

Contrast this with Bush, people doubt he is running the White House at all, much less that he has a vision beyond a few months, and goals other than immediate political gain. Does Bush hate militant Islam? I can’t see him doing anything to help the people that are most harmed by it, Does he even love Jesus as much as the fund-raisers would have you believe? It’s hard for me to think that he does.

I think people like long goals, they like leadership, even if that leadership is something they don’t entirely agree with, as long as it isn’t destructive people will appreciate it. I think Reagan had that sort of leadership, and I’m not sure Bush can even understand it.