#1518 Ronald Reagan, It Turns Out, Was Bad

Air Date 10/5/2022

Today, we take a look at the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, the last transformational U.S. president who's regime we are still living in. Between his neoliberal economics, anti-government ideology and white supremacist appeal to authoritarians, he did more to shape the last 40 years of the politics of the country and conservative movement than anyone else.

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: 40 years later, is this the end of Reaganomics? - Make Me Smart - Air Date 12-14-21

It’s been just over 40 years since newly elected President Ronald Reagan declared, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.”

Ch. 2: The Democracy We Think We Live In - On the Media - Air Date 8-9-19

Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic, on the catastrophic, deadly idea that "only white people are fit for self-government."

Ch. 3: General Motors Proves Trickle Down Theory Only Works If You Shower With Gold Water - The Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-3-18

Reagan didn't invent trickle down economics and the original metaphor was even more demeaning.

Ch. 4: The Lasting Impact of Reagan's Firing of Air Traffic Controllers (1/2) - The Real News Network - Air Date 8-4-14

Prof. Joseph McCartin and former PATCO spokesperson Elliot Simons discuss the anniversary of the firing and Ronald Reagan's betrayal

Ch. 5: When American Presidents Go to Trial - On the Media - Air Date 9-9-22

Rick Perlstein, a journalist and author of The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan, explains the continuing impact of Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon for his crimes.

Ch. 6: Ronald Reagan “Terrifying Words - ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” - Professor Buzzkill History Podcast - Air Date 5-13-21

We scrutinize Reagan's famous quote "the nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”

Ch. 7: How Ronald Reagan's Regime Led To The Jan 6th Capitol Riot - The Majority Report - Air Date 7-17-21

The Capitol insurrection on January 6th was a long time coming. Back in 1980, Ronald Reagan's campaign was laying the groundwork for what would become Donald Trump's platform.

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MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: America’s Right Turn with Rick Perlstein - Why Is This Happening? - Air Date 9-1-20

How did America’s modern conservative movement come to power? Historian and author Rick Perlstein’s prolific work has traced the arc of modern electoral politics, and specifically has laid out how modern conservatism arose.

Ch. 9: Why the "Reagan Regime" Endures - The United States of Anxiety - Air Date 3-7-22

Presidencies are rarely transformational, and neither Biden nor Trump have lived up to their supporters’ dreams. So what does it take to really change our politics? Host Kai Wright is joined by political theorist Corey Robin to confront that question.

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FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on my first debate about Reagan

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TAKE ACTION!

MIDTERMS MINUTE 2022 - Installment #1: 

Today’s focus is on toss-up House races in California, New York, and Ohio, and OPEN or NEW seats that are *leaning* Democrat or Republican: GET FULL DETAILS AND ACTION LINKS

Researched & Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 

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MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A large portrait of former American President Ronald Reagan in a dark suit and red tie is framed on a wall in a dim, museum-like room. His smiling face is softly lit with a spotlight.

Credit: “President Ronald Re[a]gan” by LunchboxLarry, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0  | Changes: Slightly cropped