Reagan’s Popularity

In response to your editorial “Reagan and History,” Jan. 19:

You fail to make a distinction of which group will be remembering, and at which time in history--within the next few years, or 50 years from now. The groups are the historians, politicians, and political scientists on one hand and the minority groups, the well-to-do or the disadvantaged, young or old on the other. Many of the latter never read the front or Op-Ed pages or books on the topic. Their impressions are gained mainly through television. Perhaps soon, but probably later, his $3-trillion debt will have a disastrous effect upon the economy.

I disagree he will be remembered for having “helped pull the superpowers away from nuclear confrontation.” For only a few will this be his distinguishing mark. He will be remembered as a Teflon President. He had the greatest number and most assiduous public relations staff of any President. They very skillfully painted him as a conscientious and compassionate man. There is too much evidence that he was neither.

For the majority, he will be recalled as presiding over the most corrupt government in modern times. He tolerated and condoned sleaze and greed, within and out of Washington, and permitted an astonishing number of self-serving men to get rich at the taxpayers’ expense. Former Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese will never be forgotten.

During his term of office, the advancement of civil rights came to a halt. He helped to dismantle many agencies that provided assistance to the needy.

Therefore, it is my contention that Reagan will be known in the future as having lowered the moral and ethical tone of our times and lessening the faith of the majority in the integrity of government. This, I believe, will have a pervasive and lasting effect in a disastrous way. It is my guess than 10 years from now, as more evidence mounts, the supporters of Reagan will be angry and disillusioned at the man who hoodwinked them.

MILTON CHERESH

Oxnard