OPINION:
The 1970s were defined as an era of “malaise” — and that may have been the kindest thing to be said about America at that time.
Inflation was high, unemployment was high, taxes were high, and, worst of all, American morale was very low. On the heels of that, Ronald Reagan was elected president of the United States, and on day one started changing the narrative — it was “Morning in America.” “America’s best days were ahead.” The language the new president used, followed by the policies he implemented, began to change the trajectory of America — and the world.
Yet change at a scale and magnitude of what needed to be done to turn America around would take time. Like steering an aircraft carrier, the course change is seen slowly at first, then gains momentum. Small changes build upon each other until the force of a new direction is undeniable. That gradual change under Reagan began immediately.
Reagan was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 1981, and just 10 weeks later, on March 30, 1981, the light bringing “morning” to America was nearly extinguished. Amid the promise of a new and different direction for America, a would-be assassin came within millimeters of altering the course of history. Thank God he didn’t.
Though looking backward is rarely productive, the terrifying question begs to be asked: “What if …?” What if the would-be assassin didn’t fail? The miracle that Reagan’s life was spared allowed the miracle of what transpired in America in the 1980s to take place.
What if … the Reagan revolution never happened? Where would America and Americans be without nearly a decade of growth and prosperity and an opportunity to expand, innovate, create and imagine? A time when the government got out of the way of businesses and off the backs of entrepreneurs and small businesses owners and facilitated progress, not obstructed it.
What if … Reagan didn’t spend eight years rebuilding our military and bolstering its strength and capacity to be a battle-ready force for good? The revitalization of our armed forces, which had been gutted financially and stripped of its pride and mission focus under President Jimmy Carter, came alive once again. “Peace through strength” became a deterrent to would-be aggressors all over the world. The war of freedom over tyranny was being waged — and won.
Yet “peace through strength” didn’t just mean military might, but also economic strength. Reagan ensured that America was ready to back up its promises with power and resolve, not just flex its muscles. Bringing prosperity to the American people brought prosperity to the nation and allowed us to lead the world again — filling the void of leadership that had previously existed. America was stronger, and the world was safer. What if … “peace through strength” never had a chance to evolve? How different the geopolitical landscape, and perhaps even the map of the world, would have looked in subsequent decades.
What if … one bullet of evil prevented Reagan from standing at the Brandenburg Gate to challenge General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall?” What if the torch of liberty didn’t have the opportunity to be held high and shine into dark corners of the world where oppression existed? In particular, across Eastern Europe, some tasted the sweetness of freedom for the first time, others for the first time in a long time — and they wanted more.
It’s easy to look at the world today and think perhaps it didn’t matter — that in the end, nothing really changed, and we are right back where we were before the Reagan revolution. We see a world that is again a place of turmoil and danger, aggression and oppression. We see a void of American leadership, creating a dangerous world.
Yet rather than being discouraged, we should heed Reagan’s warning, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” Perhaps Reagan’s life was spared so he could fight and defend our freedom in the 1980s. And now, the responsibility for a strong and free America falls on us. Reagan’s warning is a collective call to action which requires us all to participate. I shudder to think, “what if …” we don’t.
Many ask, “What would Ronald Reagan say about what is happening now?” Yet what’s happening now would likely not be occurring if Reagan were still with us. He made everywhere he was better. He consistently found a way to flip the dialogue, change the narrative and elevate the conversation while making us laugh. We were immersed for eight years in his words, wisdom, strength, wit and optimism, which inspire us still.
Thankfully, on the 41st anniversary of the attempt to take Reagan’s life, we don’t have to ask “What if …” but instead now need to ask what more we can do to continue his vision. Each doing our part to ensure that America’s best days are indeed ahead — and that American resolve continues to shine as a beacon of freedom for the world to follow.
• Peggy Grande (@peggy_grande) is the author of “The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Ronald Reagan’s Final Years.” She was executive assistant to former President Ronald Reagan from 1989 to 1999 and served as a political appointee in the Trump administration.
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