Blaming the ‘Iron Triangle’
Picturing and posturing himself as trapped in an Iron Triangle composed of media, special interests and Congress, Ronald Reagan confirms what I have long suspected. Reagan does not, and probably never has, understood American constitutionalism.
The basic premise of American political thought as expressed in the Constitution as well as by James Madison in the Federalist Papers is that Presidents should be limited. The special interests Reagan decries are the factions described by Madison. The Constitution was written to encourage their existence, while by an intricate system of checks-and-balances, including an unfettered press, ensuring that no single faction, even though it be a majority, shall have the power to dominate the making of public policy.
It is incredible that an American President apparently does not know the fundamental political principles of the nation that he heads!
As for Reagan’s claim that his Administration has improved the economy, waged an effective war on drugs, improved education and made admirable appointments to the federal judiciary, all of us are allowed a degree of hyperbole from time to time.
TOM WERT
San Clemente
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