Ronald Reagan
Domestic Policy
Presidential Election Issues
ECONOMY!!!!
Reagan asked “Are you better off today
then you were 4 years ago?”
– Many people said “NO!”
1980 Reagan Ad
1980 Ad for Reagan
Background
Republican
Elected at 69 yrs old
Former Actor
Former Governor of California
His Vice President was George
Bush Sr. (George W. Bush’s dad).
OVERALL
• Reagan generally
popular
• People loved his
personality
Overall Cont.
• He was very controversial to some
though--seen as too “pro-rich” and “prowar”
• He was seen as “pro-business” & “antiworker”
– Ex. Forced striking air traffic controllers to
go back to work--fired those who didn’t
Survived an Assassination
Attempt 1981
John Hinckley Jr.
– Had a history of mental illness
– After seeing the movie “Taxi Driver” he wanted
to get the attention of Jodie Foster
– He stalked President Carter (almost killed him,
but was stopped at the airport where they took
his guns from him--then released him!)
Reagan’s Plan: “Reaganomics”
“Trickle Down” Economics
If the rich get richer, it will “trickle down” to
everyone else
“A rising tide lifts all ships”--JFK
So we need to cut taxes on corporations & the
wealthy
“Remove roadblocks that have slowed our
economy & reduced productivity”
– Said he was going to cut taxes
– Said taxes are unfair and “punitive”
• The more you make, the more you pay--that’s bad
Restore “the balance between the various
levels of government.”
– Give more power to the states
– Take power away from the Federal
Government
– Going to reduce federal govt. spending
“Government is not the solution to our
problem; government is the problem.”
The Ultimate Anti-Communist!
So What Happened?
• Lowered Income Tax Rate
– With the largest rate reductions on the highest
incomes
• He cut domestic programs
• He raised government deficit spending
(spending more than the government takes in)
to highest levels since WWII.
– Did this by building up the military
• Inflation did go down under Reagan
• But there was also a terrible recession that
lasted most of his presidency &
unemployment was way up--he blamed Ford
& Carter