Thank You President Reagan

[domefoamer]

Sorry, I meant to say a "winning" personality. But let the flames begin!

[domefoamer]

Yup, Reagan had a willing personality and he could give a great speech. But as railfans, I'm not aware of anything to be grateful to him for. By ingraining the simplistic "government is the enemy" mantra, he pretty much condemned passenger rail to at best a survival mode. Because who else but the dreaded government is willing to run the few (non-tourist) trains we can stil ride?
Government is a means to accomplishing tasks that individuals are powerless to influence, and the Great Free Market finds more profitable to avoid. Like cheap mail delivery, or the support of basic research and, yes, national defense. I ask you, are we a better nation to live in because we've long disinvested in passenger and even freight rail? I say no, but Reaganism says "yes".[:0]

[Anonymous]

I certainly have my political differences with the Reagans but Ronnie was a nice guy. (At least that's what I've heard, since I don't have any actual memories of his presidency). He certainly believed in the American Dream.

Interesting, though, is that one of his lifelong heroes was Franklin Roosevelt, and he actually voted for him. He actually pushed for the creation of the current FDR memorial in Washington DC. Well, there are some people who think that if JFK had lived he would have become a Republican...

It's moments like those that remind me that yes, Democrats and Republicans CAN get along.

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomtrain

He brought light to a dark time. Prayers to the family.

AMEN TO THAT!

[cherokee woman]

AMEN.

President Reagan WAS a very good President. He truly cared about people and his country. He wa one of the few "politicians" who cared about everyone, and didn't really distinguish between political parties, rich, poor, etc.

May God keep him in HIs loving arms, and may He bless and comfort Nancy and his surviving children.

[Anonymous]

I think he was probably the greatest president of my lifetime; a giant among the little boys who've been in that office in the last forty years. He was a Conservative, and made no apologies for it; he knew what he believed and didn't worry about polls or "pols". He was despised by the Chic Left as well as the Scruffy Left [which is a good thing; they couldn't beat him and they knew it] ...you'll see that they still despise him as they squeal about him over the next few days. May the Lord give thee rest, sir.

[passengerfan]

I feel very sad for the family and wish Nancy the best. Her convictions and devotion to the former President will never be forgotten.
President Reagan was a remarkable man who stood by his country in a time of need and left it a far better place than when he took office.
I even remember the magazine ads he did for the Union Pacific CITY OF LOS ANGELES and I understand even did several TV ads for the CITY OF LOS ANGELES as well.
May he rest in peace a truly great American God Bless!

[Train Guy 3]

Our country and the world has lost a great man today.

[RailroadDoc]

I agree. America was blessed to have a man of Reagan's convictions, character and leadership as a leader. While ridiculed as simplistic by many of the media elite, he proved to have a stunningly correct understanding of communism and was more responsible than anyone in the world for bringing an end to numerous totalitarian communistic governments.

Having said that, I'm glad to see he's now formally dead. The real Ronald Reagan passed away some years ago.

[edblysard]

while not always in agreement with his policies, one thing he did say has stuck with me ever since.

In a speech during his primaries, he stated "the problem isnt too little goverment, its too much goverment"

When he looked out of your TV, and made one of his speeches, you belived completly, that he belived completly in what he was saying.

He fullfilled the office we elected him to quite well, and acomplished a lot more than he will ever be given credit for.

You really have to admire someone who takes a stand, regardless of how un-popular that stand might be.

We should honor him, if for no other reason that he belived in us, our country, and the people he served.

Ed

[FThunder11]

He also had a good sense of humor. I fell sorry for his family, but he had a good life.

[Anonymous]

He brought light to a dark time. Prayers to the family.

[Anonymous]

Our deepest sympathies to the family..

In many respects, Reagan was one of the most underrated and maligned Presidents in modern history. A legitimate American hero in my book. It was sad to see him (or anyone else) devastated by Alzheimer's and we can only hope that his last days were not too painful. He was a man of faith; may he rest in peace and joy.

[locomutt]

I know a lot of people will criticize him.
But for my money, he was one of the best presidents we've had!

We all don't agree on everything!

My humble condolences to the family.

[Willy2]

The news of President Regan's death is very sad. He was a very good man. God bless him and his family on this sad day and on the days ahead. [:(]

Willy

[JoeKoh]

Sad news today. former President Ronald Regan passed away.He did visit Deshler on a whistle stop tour during an election campaign.He will be missed.[:(]
stay safe
Joe