I was there. 2004

Ronald Reagan was a shitty president.

In 1980 I watched the Republican convention and heard people actually saying "Better dead than red." They didn't just mean "I'll go down with my guns blazing", though, they meant that total nuclear annihilation is preferable to any form of government other than that used in America.

I don't remember "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" in 1987. I remember 1984: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

I remember that he was actively opposed to a constitutional amendment declaring women to have equal rights. We still don't have that protection.

And as for his economic plans, well, as I said over twenty years ago, trickle-down economics is just like any filtration system: it's designed to keep the big chunks at the top.

Oh, while we're looking back, let's remember the people he staffed his administration with:
James "We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand." Watt
Ed Meese
Casper Weinberger
John Poindexter
Oliver North
William Bennett
Alexander Haig
George Schultz

And his Supreme Court appointees:
Sandra Day O'Connor
William Rehnquist
Antonin Scalia
Anthony M. Kennedy

I could go on with some statistics about the deficit, but I better not get my blood pressure up any higher. If anyone would care to add some choice quotes to match Mr. Meese's do comment away.