All Tarnished

Robert Shogan’s article (Jan. 25), “Iran Crisis Could Make Job Harder for Next President,” carries a significant element of hope. He quotes author Garry Wills, “Our regard for Reagan was so associated with our own self-esteem that now that he’s tarnished, we all are.” Then he says, “The broader question about 1988 and beyond is what lesson the electorate will draw from this experience . . .”

As we see that what the President does is a mirror of what we as individuals do and are, we will more readily accept our responsibility. Ronald Reagan is not the enemy. We all make a difference. The lesson we can draw from this experience is that we are all tarnished. We can all do better.

So what difference do we choose to make? After all, we do choose and we do make a difference, even when we see ourselves as merely observers watching the “stage.” We, too, are “players” in the world’s drama.

Reagan’s greatest contribution to us, to our country, and to our world may be the motivation to face reality, to see how much alike we all are, and to ask how we will work together to build a better future.

MARGARET CHRISTENSEN

Thousand Oaks