Let me say that more often I did not agree then agree with the former President, especially when it came to social issues. But, looking back though history's lens I cannot help but say that his presidency was by in large successful.
Ronald Reagan ran on the premise of returning America to a pre-eminent place in the world. He succeeded in doing just that. He left America stronger then when he arrived in office, helping it to shrug off the duel body blows of Vietnam and Watergate. His foreign policy, so frightening to many of us at the time, proved the final chapter in the cold war and led to the downfall of communism and the Soviet Union.
Domestically there were the dubious benefits of "Reaganomics". Also a conservative backlash that led to delays in AIDS research, which led Reagan himself to claim later he wished he had done more.
But through all that he was immensely popular and raised the spirits of a troubled nation. Why? I believe it was due to the fact that he truly believed in what he was doing. Even those of us who disagreed with his policies could not fault his commitment to them. This ideology was not based on greed, anger or hate. Reagan really believed it was the best course for the nation and he stuck by it. The inherent decency of the man was often overshadowed by his policies.
So over the past week we have seen pundits from both sides trying to make a case for Reagan's legacy or to tarnish it. However, I have always believed that whether or not I agreed with the man in office, I will always respect them for serving in such a difficult and often thankless position.
Ronald Reagan served this country for eight years and that alone is worthy of remembrance.