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Cowboy Ronald Reagan against Gen. US Grant

As ludicrous as it may sound to most people, there are worshippers of movie star Ronald Reagan who rank him higher in his contributions to America than Union General US Grant.

Reagan saved the helpless damsels on the silver screen in many westerns and went down in fame playing the football great George Gipp.  You know, “Win one for The Gipper.”

They didn’t have motion pictures when the Civil War began.  No one would have had time to watch them any way. The very existence of the Unites States of America hung on a thread.  And that thread was held together largely through the military leadership of one man.  Gen. US Grant.  He defeated Gen. Robert E. Lee and the union was preserved.

As presidents go, none was admired more in his day and idolized on his death than Franklin D. Roosevelt.   He was in the Oval Office and gave America hope when it struggled out of the Great Depression from the stock market crash of 1929.  He was there and he was the calm, reassuring voice in his Fireside Chats during the dark days of World War II.  On his death, there was a movement to build him a monument in Washington DC.

It was to be taller than the George Washington Monument.  That idea faded with time and common sense.

Many presidents have had remarkable moments in the White House.

Now, back to Ronald Reagan.  What did he do in his eight years as president that lifts him above all the accomplishments of a Civil War general?  Why are his contributions so wonderful that he should replace
Grant on the $50 bill?

Aside from being known as a lover of jelly beans, he was noted for sleeping during meetings and having a bad memory of the Iran-Contra scandal.  He appointed many of what he called “hanging judges” and he did drive up the national debt.  No doubt his advocates can turn these instances around to add them to the column in his favor.

A calm objective view of his service to America could call him The Feel Good President.  He was a great communicator, thanks to his acting training.  And he made Americas feel good about their country and their lives.

He has an airport named after him, a postage stamp.

After 150 years, Gen. US Grant and later President Grant is still remembered with admiration and respect.  What will people say about Ronald Regan in 2160? 

“Ronald Reagan?  Oh, yes, wasn’t he that cowboy actor who was elected president?”