I just read Will Pitt's article Planet Reagan

[King Coal]

and after a whole weekend of Reagan, Reagan, Reagan, it was sooooo welcome. http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/060704A.shtml

Way to go Will. Kudos Daddyo. We're lucky to have you on our side.

[Misunderestimator]

1. I read it this morning as well... Magnificent.

And written with all *ahem* due respect to the beloved ex-president.

Thanks, Will, for saying it like it is, and maintaining some decorum about it all.

[Jivenwail]

2. Thank you!

For posting this and thanks to Will - some of his best work.

[sventvkg]

3. Outstanding Article Will!!!

[Enraged_Ape]

4. I thought Jimmy Carter started the deregulation of the S&Ls...

at the behest of economic advisor Charles L. Schultze, with the Depository Institutions Deregulation And Monetary Control Act of 1980.

I know Reagan ramped it up, but let's not shoulder him with the entire blame for that fiasco.

:shrug:

[JHB]

18. That "ramping up" WAS the fiasco

I'm going off the top of my head here, so forgive me if I'm sketchy on the details, but in 1980 the S&Ls needed some adjustment to their regulation, since high inflation meant they had to pay more in interest to keep depositors than they could legally charge for loans, so they were bleeding money.

The 1980 act alleviated some of those problems, but some bankers wanted even fewer restictions, and the Reagans were friendly to that perspective. So the Reaganites both removed restrictions on what types of business Federally-insured S&Ls could engage in AND cut back on the regulators and accountants that reviewed the books to make sure the S&L was within the requirements for Federal deposit insurance.

In 1980 the S&Ls needed, so to speak, a new transmission, but the reaganites gave them a "monster garage" makeover, and to no one's surprise, they were driven right off the road.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. A very dignified piece

Without vilifying the man himself, Will has written a brief for what will be the liberal critique of Reagan's influence on future generations.

Reagan may have been one of our more popular Presidents. He had the virtue of being able to get along with those who disagreed with him and not taking ideological dissent personally, something sorely missing in the Bush junta. However, Reagan tripled the deficit, supported the Contra thugs in Nicaragua and slept through a national security scandal. He was not one of our better leaders.

[PATRICK]

6. I thought it the best so far

and way above Palast. I did have some neutral sympathy for Reagan as being so mentally incompetent as to be unaware that even more control of events and agenda than usual was slipping away. When he have the last chance to lessen some of the perilous effects of his administration? The walk in the woods? or did Nancy do it all for him in a rear guard action against Bush and the neo-crazies?

Bush Jr. too has his ailments and excuses, but nowheres near the removal
both in style and mental substance that Reagan evidenced in the Mondale debates. Then too the nation voted irresponsibly and more mindlessly than patient with Alzheimer's.

There is a small gaggle of men whose determination to take advantage of America's political vices has not been held to account. We are way beyond Reagan and way behind getting at the direct workers of harm.

We still have, what- 30-40%?- for whom Will's article cannot be read with comprehension or agreement? Let the crowds love the puppet, convict the crooked puppetmasters.

[DaveSZ]

7. Clinton

Clinton deregulated the media more than Reagan, but I agree Raygun helped get the ball rolling.

http://www.consumersunion.org/telecom/lessondc201.htm

LESSONS FROM 1996 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT:
DEREGULATION BEFORE MEANINGFUL COMPETITION SPELLS CONSUMER DISASTER

[ewagner]

8. Excellent Will!

As a local government official in the '80s, I experienced, first hand, the deadly effects of Reagan's deregulation efforts. Even in those days, conservatives who suffered the effects of deregulation didn't mind because Reagan "made them proud to be an American again".

Your bottom line is correct: Reagan told America that image is more important than substance. We suffer from it to this day.

Thanks for the great article.

[LWolf]

9. Great balance

between respect for the man and truth about the legacy. A tricky thing to balance, and a job well-done.

[mopaul]

10. kick

[ElementaryPenguin]

11. A whole lotta REALITY! Thanks to Will!

:bounce:

[Octafish]

12. Outstanding work.

Well worth reading, passing around, and appreciating with one's family, friends and neighbors.

[mopaul]

13. kick the hell out of it

[SilasSoule]

14. Yes, Every DU'er Including the Boortz and Limbaugh Trolls

Should make this absolutely required reading.

Outstanding Job Will. Article Saved for life.

[SilasSoule]

15. Yes, Every DU'er Including the Boortz and Limbaugh Trolls

Should make this absolutely required reading.

Outstanding Job Will. Article Saved for life.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. Thank you Will

good writing.

[Bozita]

17. I've not seen a better piece on Reagan

Absolutely brilliant!

[bobthedrummer]

19. Bravo, Will!

Yep, you speak for a lot of US!

[Catfight]

20. A breath of reality, thank you for this article.

[mzmolly]

21. Dang, I didn't like Reagan, but this really puts his legacy into

perspective.

This is a keeper.

I am sure I will get a glowing email about the great RR from a friend before too long. I can't wait to forward your article as a friendly reminder of what's what.

:hi:

[nomatrix]

22. Excellent article Will Pitt!

We bought a house at 16% interest during the Reagan's first term. This is with great credit.

[Ilsa]

23. Well Done!

I've emailed it out to the faithful for now. It'll be referenced for the nonbelievers after this weekend.

[shirlden]

24. Bless you, Will

During the 8 surreal years of the Reagan admin, I thought I was going nuts. That I was the only one who could see the truth of what he was really all about. Now that he is dead.......I realize that there were very few of us who knew and very few even now. You, however, hit the truth nail firmly on the head.
Thanks,

He was truly the beginning of the end for our republic.

[King Coal]

25. Kick

:kick: