Happy Birthday, Gipper!

In 1980, Ronald Reagan promised he would cut the inflation rate (then at 12.8 percent, from a Carter-high of 14.8 percent earlier that year). By 1983, he had it down below 4 percent, where it stayed throughout his presidency.

He said he'd cut taxes, which had a top rate of 78 percent when he took office. He cut that down to 35 percent.

He said he'd reduce unemployment, which was at 7.4 percent in 1982. He got it down to 5.4 percent.

He said he'd lower the interest rates, and he cut them to less than half of what they were when he was elected.

"Reaganomics" stopped being called that about the time that liberals and other detractors realized (before they began to forget it again) that they actually worked. (And, they couldn't allow him to be credited with the economic success the US experienced after his policies were enacted.)

But far more important to America and the free world than the wisdom and determination of Ronald Reagan's economic performance, was his vision of liberty and goodness for America, and therefore, the world.

Of America, he said in his farewell : "And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home."


Happy Birthday, Mr. President, and thank you!

Brad