Reagan QUADRUPLED the National Debt and he's known for advocating for smaller gov't

[Ninja108]

He was horrible when it came to the Aids crisis. That alone puts a black mark on his legacy for me.
And don't forget his brillant idea to deregulate the saving & loans industry.
The debt from that will take several generations to pay off.

 

[Kulindahr]

He was horrible when it came to the Aids crisis. That alone puts a black mark on his legacy for me.
And don't forget his brillant idea to deregulate the saving & loans industry.
The debt from that will take several generations to pay off.

Actually I think that wasn't his idea. It resulted from one of his weaknesses, which was being far too trusting of his good buddies and their notions. That's how we got some of the inanity that passed for tax reform, and requiring every state getting federal highway dollars to have their speed limits dictated by Washington, and other bits of foolishness.

In foreign policy he said "Trust, but verify" -- but on the domestic front, as far as his advisors went, it was trust, and be oblivious... kind of a "Don't ask, don't tell" for legislation his friends wanted.