ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON RONALD REAGAN

Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan



Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan

Introduction

Ronald Reagan is one of America's most perplexing presidents. Some see him as a detached and distracted former actor who charmed his way into the world's most powerful office. Others say he was uniquely gifted with an ability to cut through complexities to the essence of issues and, using extraordinary communication skills, able to mobilize social support for noble causes. Some see him as a president who stoked the Cold War; others see him as the president wise enough to know how to end it.

However, it makes clear that Reagan's conviction was not based primarily on deep study of the Soviet Union, on intelligence reports, or on State Department assessments. It flowed mainly from confidence in his ability to judge people, to understand what motivated them, and to develop relationships of trust and confidence (Wallison, 2003, 32-67). His Recognition

He peacefully defeated Communism, though in controversial ways. He fulfilled all of his duties as president to the best of his ability, and maintained a high-approval rating. The economy grew due to a revised budget and a decrease in taxes, and the unemployment rate decreased during his presidency. His speeches were motivational and portrayed America in a favorable light. The legislation that he passed benefited almost all Americans. Reagan always worked in the best interest of the American people, and for this, he should receive a grade of no lower than an A.

Discussion

Reagan was a self-confessed Democrat and New Dealer when he arrived at GE. After his eight-year “postgraduate course in political science,” conducted largely under the aegis of GE's vice president and labor strategist, Lemuel Boulware, Ronald Reagan came to expound on the need to reduce taxes and limit government. He described international communism, as Boulware and GE president Ralph Cordiner did, as “evil.” He observed Boulware, who regarded by many in corporate America, as the most successful labor negotiator of all time, and Reagan himself became a knowledgeable negotiator during this period, equally at ease with corporate executives and blue-collar workers. His education stretched well beyond the bargaining table. He became familiar with such diverse thinkers as von Mises, Lenin, Hayek, and the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu. He read and reread the practical economics of Henry Hazlitt. He quoted Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton (Morris, 2009, 23-56).

Assassination of Ronald Reagan

On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan was 69 days into his presidency. As he exited the Washington Hilton Hotel after giving a speech, the president struck by a bullet fired by John Hinckley, Jr. Three others were also shot Press Secretary James Brady, Washington police officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy. Everyone, including Mr Reagan, survived the ordeal. Now, Mr McCarthy and others reflect about how that day 30 years ago changed their lives and how US presidents protected. On the rainy morning of March 30, 1981, Secret Service agents, Tim McCarthy and Joe Trainor had paperwork to ...