Essay Example on President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan drove a fascinating life starting in the Midwest, the highlights of Reagan's profession occurred as a radio character, an on-screen film character, the 33rd legislative head of California and the 40th President of the United States of America. He had dependably demonstrated an unmistakable fascination in legal issues, and in his more youthful years was a Democrat and significantly appreciated President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In any case, in the 1950s, well-known lawmakers like Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon impacted him, and he changed sides, turning into an individual from the Republican party.

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He and other preservationist Republicans needed less government impedance in the day-by-day lives of Americans. As Troy states, In the 1980s Ronald Reagan offered his fellow Americans a perspective, a set of glasses that helped their "glorious sharply outlined world jump into focus (Troy). President Reagan won Congressional endorsement for his arrangement to diminish charges on income. Numerous Americans respected the agreement. Others were worried about its effect on the national debt. They saw taxes decrease while protection spending increased.

To save revenue, the Reagan government chose to cut spending for some social projects. This satisfied moderates. Liberals, be that as it may, said it restricted poor people groups' odds for proper housing, social insurance, and education. President Reagan additionally needed to settle on choices about utilizing the military drive in different nations. In 1983, he sent Marines to Lebanon. They joined other peacekeeping troops to help stop battling among a few contradicting groups. On the 23rd of October, a Muslim radical detonated a bomb in the building where the Marines were living. Two-hundred forty-one Americans died.

Reagan interacted with various audiences, and their responses to his influence predicted him as an active person. His communication style was a characteristic that pulled people towards him. His credibility was essential to his success as a leader, and it was an aspect he needed to work on to persuade the electorate. As Fessler and College state, Reagan's rhetoric on economic and law and order issues swayed many traditionally Democratic voters to support Reagan (31).He managed to pull a good number of them especially the blue collar vote but there were other members of the electorate never saw any positivity in him. It did not, however, bring Ronald Reagan down and he continued to fulfil his manifesto as he had promised the people of America.

President Ronald Reagan had a vision, one that clearly resonated with his followers and was significantly ideological. The ideological vision that he had was that of a conservative because it promoted various concepts that included lower taxes, a smaller government, individual freedom, and a national economy that was strong and a national defense that was impenetrable. Reagan had significant belief in the vision he had developed, and he, therefore, communicated it to Americans with vigor and passion. Americans had their view of the vision, and it looked like a U-turn from the direction the Carter administration had taken previously. Ronald Reagans aim was to appeal to the unhappiness that had resulted from the Carter leadership and due to this; he became a visionary leader who worked for change.

He had a vision for foreign affairs, and the vision was viewed as a romantic utopia. As Garrison says, Ronald Reagans vision of Americas role in the world, especially as it was expressed in his presidential speeches, continues to resonate with many Americans (1). President Reagan had appealed to many as a leader who worked for the equality of many, and thus his vision for the American foreign affairs got support from those who supported him. They viewed his plan as one that was just and right. Due to the strengths, he had in communicating and appealing to his audiences he effectively articulated his vision to the people in appealing ways. Every person who supported him gradually internalized values that he believed in and therefore they readily supported his vision to the fullest. The immense support he had during his leadership lives on as various leaders, from both the conservative and Republican parties often claim to be followers of Reagan.

Ronald Reagan is believed to have been a charismatic leader, which means that he had various strengths that set him apart from other leaders in America. Various attributes characterized Ronald Reagan as a charismatic leader, and these include his communication skills, expertise, integrity, and humor. Every leadership style needs effective communication skills and thus sets these leaders apart from those who are uncharismatic. Ronald Reagan was one who would talk to his people with passion, self-confidence, emotion, inspiration, and motivation. It is the reason why many people had trust in what he passed forward. Any time he communicated with the people of America, he was confident, and the confidence was effectively delivered to his audiences. Evidence portrays President Ronald Reagan as The Great Communicator (Sheehan 10). It was more than just a nickname or a compliment for Reagan. History including all the speeches he articulated to his people showed him as an excellent and efficient communicator. His communication style appeared as one that was charismatic, which was one of the strengths of the Reagan presidency.

Various individuals analyzed inaugural speeches by all the United States presidents up to the Ronald Reagan presidency and Reagans speeches stood out as the best. His speeches were effective in ranking him as one of the charismatic leaders of the twentieth century in the United States. His use of symbolism and metaphors helped him appeal to a sense of understanding in his audiences. There was also the use of sentimental imagery in communicating novel ideas. One famous example of imagery is when he once made a comment, America, the shining city on a hill. In his target of the emotional side of his followers, Reagan included these aspects in his communication.

As a charismatic leader, Reagan managed to develop trust with his supporters. He was a leader of integrity, one who demonstrated a balance of honesty and consistency in his personal values and actions. As an American president, Reagan managed to capture the admiration and trust of his followers. As Bell states, Reagan displayed courageous convictions and was willing to sacrifice his political career to pursue what he perceived (and his followers likewise) as right and true (86). The supporters and advocates of the Reagan leadership believed in the president and admired his candid honesty. He was ready and willing to give up what he could, including his political career in the fight of what he believed to be genuine and right. His decisions were aimed at the well-being of the people of America, and he would want his advisors not to mention political risks in instances where decisions needed to be made. A popular example of his integrity was when he took responsibility for the contra aid and Iran arms controversy through an address to the public from the Oval office. President Reagan did organize the action, but he took responsibility for the mistake his administration had made. His effort during this time demonstrated his integrity and helped cement the trust his followers had in the Reagan presidency.

There were, however, various weaknesses of the Reagan presidency. His personal life had an effect on the general picture he portrayed to the public. His divorce from Jane Wyman raised questions on the type of husband Reagan was. There were also various claims of Reagan engaging in affairs with other women during his marriage to Wyman. There were those who did not agree with his leadership, and this aspect of his life gave his opponents a leeway into finding weaknesses with his leadership. His economic policies did more harm than good for the people of America. There was a rise in unemployment, and the cost of living rose while he was president. He developed shortsighted economic policies that did not produce the results he expected. As Pfiffner explains, The tax cuts, however, did not bring about the economic growth that the supply-siders expected; the result was a deficit of more than $100 billion and climbing (4). These policies are often considered the reason why George Bush did not get a second term in office. It is clear that the effects of his economic policies were felt eight years after he retired from the presidency.

President Reagan used the just say no program as his drive for fighting against drug use. It, however, became a laughing point for drugs users and comedians in the United States. The program also cost the American taxpayers billions of dollars that turned out to be wasted money. His policy against drug trafficking was so myopic that his presidency was credited with the increase in the trade of cocaine and heroin from South America and China. His administration did not provide support for Afghanistan after the Russian defeat. Various individuals encouraged Reagan to create an ally in Afghanistan, but he was unresponsive to the call. Political experts believe that it is his presidencys neglect of Afghanistan that led to the rise of Osama Bin Laden. He provided amnesty to more than three million aliens in America who were illegally in the country. The decision resulted in the conflict between the democrats and republics concerning the status of these individuals. It continues to be an issue for the United States governments up to this day.

Despite all the negative aspects of his presidency, Ronald Reagan managed to create a legacy by the time he retired from the presidency. He was a man who fought for everything he believed in. He is a president who changed the world and America more than any other person did. President Reagans leadership had an effect not only on the conservatives, the Republicans, America, and the world but also on the liberals who were his opponents. It is evident that President Ronald Reagan left a legacy that will live on for centuries to come.

Works cited

Bell, Mark. Charismatic Leadership Case Study with Ronald Reagan as an Exemplar. (2013): 8391. Print.

Fessler, Paul, and Dordt College. Ronald Reagan, Address to the National Association of Evangelicals. (2007): 2649. Print.

Garrison, Justin. A Covenanat with All Mankind: Ronald Reagans Idyllic Vision of America in the World. (2008): 130. Print.

Pfiffner, P. James. The Paradox of President Reagan Leadership. (2011): 122. Print.

Sheehan, J. J., and O. Sheehan. The America Presidency: Categorizing and Assessing Leadership Qualities. (2006): 914. Print.

Troy, Gil. Morning in America: How Ronald Reagan Invented the 1980s. N.p., 2005. Web. 16 Feb. 2017.