Very nice piece...good reminder for all.

in yur article you stated:

"At the most recent Republican National Committee confab, some members proposed a 'Unity Principle for Support of Candidates' resolution, which identified 10 conservative principles, at least eight of which Republican candidates must support in order to receive RNC funding.

"The measure failed, perhaps because more than a few of the current crop of politicos who call themselves 'Republican' could not pass muster."

While I'm not sure those are the ten items I would use to determine support, I would REALLY like to know who supported and who opposed this resolution.

Reagan was a rock and a steadfast supporter of the United States Constitution. I am very disappointed with "lamestreet media's portrayal of him as incompetent. The History channel aired a program obviously aimed at discrediting President Reagan's legacy and emphasizing the important contributions of President Jimmy Carter. Pointing out his childish behavior and eating jelly beans, sleepinng in meetings and his missile defense initiative "star wars", as a bizzare concoction of his imagination. Even one of Reagan's staff (David Gergen)was quoted as saying that President Reagan "wasn't particularly bright". The History channel is trying to re-write our past, proving once again that the pen is mightier than the sword. Ronald Regan was a true patriot and a "real Commander in Chief"! Happy Birthday President Reagan and God Bless America.

Lorn Cramer U.S. Army Retired

I sorely miss the quiet humility and towering strength of Ronald Reagan. One of the many things I remember about him was his insistence on personal responsibility attendant with Constitutional Rights. If you don't guard them, you will lose them. And his warning has proven true. We have moved away from the concept of self-reliance and have become dependent on the nanny state, a nanny state we are now in fear of.

"The government large enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take it all away." -- attributed to both Thomas Jefferson and Barry Goldwater

And I like the quote in your trailer from Samuel Adams. How true!

Until I voted against Obama, the only times I ever voted in a presidential election were in 1980, and 1984. Both times I voted for Reagan, neither time was I disappointed. This past election cycle has left me thinking more critically about the past. I've begun to wake up, and realize that an insidious force has been attacking our country for a very long time. The Democrats are definitely to be blamed, but let us not give the Republican Party a complete pass just because they are "not as bad" Richard M. Nixon took the US Dollar off of the gold standard paving the way for Congress to start 'counterfeiting' our own currency. Reagan, for all his accomplishments, never did anything to begin dismantling the Nanny State that had been begun by FDR, on the framework laid by Woodrow Wilson, expanded by JFK, even more so by LBJ, and added to by Jimmy Carter. Making the Communists stop building is not tantamount to tearing down what has already been built, they will just resume construction once a 'more progressive' Chief Executive is inaugurated. This has been demonstrated time and time again. Three things at a minimum need to occur. 1) We need leaders to have the courage to end Federal entitlements. 2) We need to not vote them out of office as soon as they begin to do that work. 3) We need to educate ourselves and our neighbors in the First Priciples, so that they will begin to assume responsibility for themselves. There are many more things that need to be done. Instead of trying to change leadership in DC, and feeling good about that happening, how about running for your local School Board, and then working to renegotiate the Teachers contracts to do away with the tenure system, and making it easier to dismiss the incompetent or lazy? Then you can set about writing a budget to run the schools on local funding, and tell the federal government to pack sand when they try to dictate how you teach your children. Te Left has long been filling the schools with their disciples, and they have been indoctrinating our children. Until we get THIS 'grass roots' any changes we implement at the top with be brief and temporary.

Great Column. I wonder what President Reagan would have said about exporting our Industrial Strength and earning capacity to Communist in China.

There are other good conservative websites on the internet, but yours is absolutely beyond compare. You are neither alarmists nor hate mongerers. Kudos to you for purity of content.

Great article, as always,Mark. A wonderful tribute to President Reagan. Boy, don't we wish he was here now!

It is good to see Mark Alexander point to the downfall of the economic programs Ronald Reagan wanted. To only submit tax cuts witout a corresponding reduction in government programs spells challenges for success and skews the data to a spin doctor's delight. Today many point to Reagan's failed policy yet it was not his failure, it was the failure of those surrounding his valiant efforts to reduce federal government, restore state level controls, and repair the damage of an out of control general growth begun and embraced in earnest under Roosevelt, Johnson, and Carter. When we hear people slam Reagan-omics as failed this is the part of the historical facts they either do not know or will not accept. His programs were stopped from full implementation, government was not reduced as he so dearly wanted it to be.

Reagan was not helped by his vice president or his party faction. They allowed him to be the lightening rod of dissatisfaction as the tax cuts were not enough, alone, to sustain long-term fiscal improvement. Those surrounding him did not stand strong for reduced federal government. By 1994 the people were sold a contract from the master salesman, Newt Gingrich. This too came from the shadows of a faction who failed Reagan, and they failed the people who trusted them once again. Most of this trust was due to our embrace of Ronald Reagan. Today I still trust him and have long been saddened by the abuse from Bush, Sr., Gingrich, DeLay, and others who were not then, or now, friends to conservative values.

Yesterday we saw Gingrich stand with Bennett, just as we saw Romney stand with him months ago. These people still are not our friends nor are they supporters of the true principles Reagan upheld. I remember the moving influence Gov. Reagan had on me in my youth. I still hold dear a card he sent to me in 1972, though it was merely a reprint that went to many of us. Ronald Reagan moved me to commit to our Constitution and our heritage because he was an example of statesmen of old.

The moving influence of Bennett, Gingrich, and Romney is as strong. Bennett, Gingrich, and Romney move me to commit to our Constitution as well because they represent the political animals that will destroy it as quickly as the Demcratic factions, the progressives who willingly defy their oaths. To me Bennett, Gingrich, Romney, and other Republican 'leaders' are even worse than their progressive friends because they deceive to achieve their desired goal of rule. These are the true, hard core thieves of liberty and freedom for they pose as friends and many believe they are. Reagan would no doubt be saddened by the direction they have taken. Not only did the Democratic Party leave him in the 50s, our Republican Party of today has left him as well.

Thank you for sharing this moving account and helping me to solidfy my committment to educate people so they can recognize the thiefs among us who will celebrate Reagan's name while failing to support his passion for our heritage of liberty under self-governing, God centered principles.

Well, well written and how true. My God, how far have we strayed?

This an exceptional article which, in today's political environment, is more heartwarming than it would otherwise be. I don't believe enough positive things can be said of Ronald Reagan who made most of us extremely proud to be Americans. This came at a time, after four years of the failed presidency of Jimmy Carter, that the country needed a flag waving leader to inspire us to be our best again.

The comments posted by Ted Wood are unconcionable and he qualifies the fact that he voted for Reagan twice while he "was using hard drugs". Enough said!!

Oh, if we could just have another "Ronald Reagan" as our 2012 candidate. The preservation of this great country as a free nation depends upon it.

In addition to Reagan, my heroes include George Washington (for his bravery), and Thomas Jefferson for his belief, like Reagan, that big government was not the solution, but the problem.

02/04/10

Our founder Fathers gave us the GIFT,And God gave us

RONALD WILSON REAGAN,Was also a GIFT and a TYPE of

man,It seems only come along every 230 yrs.A true

Pattiot,to our CONSTITUTION.If we can't find true PATRIOT soon,WOE IS US!!!

What an excellent essay on the strengths and vision of RR. Unfortunately, his "new republican party" is fast disappearing in the very efforts you outline. The selfishness and lack of program and progress is putting the RNC in the cross-hairs of defeat. We need, must have, a future outlined by a sense of positive and love of freedom. The GOP, for which I have voted since 1949 is but a shadow of its former self. Its Chair talks of nothing but Obama and his inherent problems. Nothing comes forth to support what is becoming a need for a momentum for freedom. Without someone and something to vote for, something in which we can believe, there will be a dissolution of the Republican party and a rise in the independent spirit of reform. It's not too late to begin. The clock, however, is running - fast.

Just a comparison:

Reagan: I wasn't a great communicator but I communicated great things

Obama: I have a gift

Reagan: There is no such thing as a left or right, there is only an up or down

Obama: I won

Reagan: We fear the government may be powerful enough to destroy our families

Obama: I don't want my daughter punished with a baby

Reagan: Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem

Obama: I take my share of the blame for not explaining [Obamacare] more clearly

Reagan: May all of you as Americans never forget your heroic origins, never fail to seek divine guidance, and never lose your natural, God-given optimism

Obama: We are going to fundamentally transform America

Let us hope that a new president will come along

soon. We need another "Ron" to keep us on the right

road before this nation crumbles to pieces under

the present adminstration. I pray we aren't too late.

Great piece. Should be required reading.

Thank you for your profound, patriotic statement. Indeed, President Reagan was the last great leader of our nation and "The Reagan Model for Restoration" is exactly what the global elite have unsucessfully attemped to diminish ever since. President Reagan's (and our founding father's) mission lives on in the hearts of millions of American's to this day, and, by the grace of God, is being re-ignited to take back what is ours. Freedom of one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The current administration is, and should be, the wake-up call to the world, that the "Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave" is under seige, as are all nations in an attempted "one world dominance power grab" Their mistake, as proven recently in Massechusetts, is first by underestimating God's power, and second, thinking that there are not enough of us left to defend our Constitutional and God given rights. I'll continue to pray for His hand of grace over the USA and Israel as well. Thank you and God bless you, Mr. Alexander.

He inherited 9.9% unemployment 12% inflation & interest rates that went to 20% & also a weak defense. After 4 yrs he was elected by every state in the Union except Mn where the favorite son Mondale was. An ordinary man an extra ordinary president. It was the United States the opposite of today.

As a 30 something year newspaper worker I learned to make things work. I took over at least four failing newspapers with the objective of bringing them to profitablity. At one in Lompoc, California I was told after just 3 months there we would not meet payroll. With God's help and wisdom we not only made it but the paper sold for $7.5 million 8 years later. Same story in Lake Havasu City, AZ where the twice weekly newspaper was losing between $10 & $15 thousand a month on a gross of under $600 thousand a year. It is now a profitable daily newspaper. In both of these events I made adjustments based on sound business principles and fired employees who did not want to follow my lead. My point is at NO time did I ever plead "I inherited this mess." Obama was hired to lead the country to the greater things he ran on, not cry about previous administrations. If he can't do it then resign and get someone who can. His actions are cowardly and not very inspiring to the nation.

In April, 2005, I lost my life's companion of 44 years to a massive heart attack. As part of the process of closing out our life together, I drove to the local Social Security office to ask what came next. The manager of the office said that I was "entitled to a death benefit of $255." I must have looked like a village idiot when I asked her, "My wife began having mandatory Social Security "contributions" withdrawn from her paycheck when she was first working, fresh out of high school. What happened to the tens of thousands of dollars that she was required to contribute? That money was hers and we intended it to go to our children and grandchildren." For as long as memory will serve, I'll never forget her answer. She looked at me straight in the face and said, "There are people out there who need it worse than you."

WELL SAID! I pray just about every day that God

would raise up another president like Ronald Reagan. It was too bad that he did not have the majority in the congress that the Democrats enjoy today. Along

with that prayer, I mention some of the Founding

Fathers such as Washington, Adams and others. That,

to me, puts Ronald Reagan in a class by itself.

Ronald Reagan, the only man I ever voted FOR. All the rest have been more or less the lesser of two evils.

Could it be that the Tea party movement is the latest sighting of Reagan's "great silent majority"?

Interesting! "Trickle up poverty" is a phrase inverted by Michael Savage on his national talk show.

Will you give him credit?

The Alexander essay has become the high point of the Patriot week. This is not to demean the remaining issues of the Patriot Post, but Mark always hits his mark squarely, no matter the subject. This Reagan piece is no exception. How desperately we nrrd another like him. With 300 million of us, there must be one somewhere.

Ronald Reagan came up through the ranks, first as a democrat wanting the things the left promised, but not knowing till he saw first hand that these things were only obtainable through the capitalist system, or freedom from government. He then became one of the greatest leaders in world history, taking courageous stands against government interference in the private lives of the people. His legacy has been distorted by a revised Republican Party, not unlike the oppossing party, vying for votes by making unconstitutional and unrealistic promuses that couldn't be kept even if they were sane. We need to return to the Reagan principles of government as umpire instead of participant. Only then can we get our country back on track.

If only Ronny hadn't hated hard working blue collar folks, he would have been the best. Why all the R's hate the blue collar baffles me. Unfortunately I will never vote for an R as long as I live, till the trickle down, trickles down.

I agree that RR was a great communicator of conservative values, not only spoken but incredibly well writen. However, his actions contradict. He expanded the federal government. (Al Haig)He ran like a coward from Lebanon(where one of my USNA classmates was killed), never took a stand by vetoing a budget, put the IRS on tax cheats like waitresses--the little guys. And worst, he took away thousands of partial military disability pensions. Please stop the worship, he was a man, and not worthy.

Would you care to comment on the allegations contained in Michael Kinsley's piece in the Atlantic?

(www.theatlantic.com/doc/201002u/kinsley-reagan)

A year ago, I was quite stunned that President Obama stumbled over his oath during his inauguration. However, it is amazing even more that the VP, Mr Biden, had to read the oath from a piece of paper to Senator Scott Brown today as he swore him in. Any military man knows that the officer administering the oath memorizes it, and for those who don't, they are looked at as very unprofessional. Now, I must admit that even though I have both the enlisted and officer oaths memorized, when giving either, I still have a printed copy available in case I stumble. However, in my opinion, if you don't know the oath by heart or stumble over it when taking it (as president during your inauguration?), it shows its level of importance to the individual and, to me, at least, whether you take it seriously.

President Ronald Reagan was more effective in the office of the presidency, a far better leader, and in my opinion, more of a patriot in his declining years than the current resident of the White House will ever be. And to ted wood, Lech Walensa and the Pope were certainly effective in helping bring down the "EVIL EMPIRE," but Walensa, in a recent speech, praised President Reagan for his role. He also criticized socialism and agreed that it would seem this administration is heading us toward that mess. I hope the Republican Party finds another Ronald Reagan to fix what the democrats are doing to this country.

Ronald Regan was in the mold of our First President,George Washington. God bless them both and Pope John Paul. Both Regan and John Paul won the cold war. We need good moral leadership so bad. I watch Glenn Beck. Boy I'm getting a history lesson. I didn't know Woodrow Wilson was such a bad president. He was one of the originators of the Versalle Treaty that I already knew caused so much misery and brought Hitler to power. Obama is Woodrow Wilson! God help us.

Lorn Cramer, US Army (Ret.), mentioned in his comment how David Gergen slammed President Reagan during a program on the History channel. One reason for Gergen's ire may have been the fact that he had been President Ford's Chief of Staff. Reagan ran against Ford, the sitting president in 1976, for the Republican nomination for President in 1976. Some felt that this attempt to unseat a sitting President (Ford) weakened him in the General Election in 1976 allowing Jimmy Carter to be elected. Thus, I think Gergen's comments could be labeled "sour grapes"!

We need another man with President Reagan's faith in America.

Thank you for putting that together so well. I read Reagans speaches regularly. They keep me much more hopeful for America than any thing that is coming out of Washington today.

As much as I respect Ronald Regan I must comment, We should not be sitting around and waiting for another patriot such as he. We should all be promoting the conservative constitutional freedom based agenda. Do we pick up arms to restore our government from the ravages of those socialist in government, not yet, first we must raise up our voices and get off our butts, let our elected know the status quo is un acceptable. Do everything we can first before the ravages of another conflict on this soil is forced upon us. WWII 400,000 KIA Civil War 625,000 KIA, WE must avoid that if possible, but when pressed what is the cost and price of freedom anyway, if it is my life or anyone elses it is the ultimate price. Do nothing and live as a slave and it worse that the ultimate price because not only you will live as a slave but you descendants will never know the sweet taste of freedom.

Wow!!!!! Each one of us should send this to at least 10 liberal friends in hopes that at least one will read a few words. I know how far out the chance is that a liberal would actually read something so well put as this, but we could at least try. The problem is , of course, that its not just that liberals dont "know so much that is wrong" BUT that they dont want to know the truth. Perhaps it is a matter of pride and they cannot allow themselves to be wrong. But this piece is so good that it might even reach some. Thanks.

Mr. Rehling, you are an idiot. May you be the first to take up arms against your country and may you be the first to die. Differing ideas do not require a revolution. Your country is not being taken away from you and anyone. I believe Reagan loved the United States and I believe Obama to loves the United States. Reagan was not this great man everyone seems to be trying to rewrite history for. He inherited problems, but he also created them as well (Iran-Contra...etc).

President Reagan's Trickle Down Economics led to our problems today as the gap between the rich and poor continues to grow, CEO salaries for out of wack, and the crack epidemic. This War On Drugs farce has cost American Trillions of dollars over the last 25 years as well.

All...open your minds, be free from the bounds of racism.

Thank you for this reminder!

I am deeply disapointed in the Republican Party's abandonment of their conservative principles. As President Reagan said of the Democrat party, "The Democrat Party left me." I have left the Republican Party because the Republican Party left me. Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagon were the last two really conservatives left in the Republican Party. My two senators - Alexander and Corker - call themselves conservatives but they miss being true conservatives by a country mile. Oh, for a real conservative candidate for president in 2013. We can only hope.

I have received several forwarded e-mails concerning U.N. Treaties in the works that would by pass the Constatution ( 2ND Amendment ) and make other Countries have more control over our day to day life. Is there any truth in this?

We need another Reagan. Someone who will be proud of their conservatism. Stick up for individual freedom and demand individual responsibility. Someone who who will fight for this country, not apologize for it. no more pale pastels but bold colors.

Davis, if Obama loved this country why would he say he wanted to "fundamentally transform" it? Why would he attend for twenty years the church of a pastor who would say,"No, no, no. Not God bless America, God d*** America?"

I'm getting a bumper sticker that reads:

"I MISS RONALD REAGAN"

Or maybe another referncing Obama that reads:

You voted for him, I'm paying for it.

Well T-Wood, the effects of your indulgences are still evident.

What a great read. I really miss Reagan, having been 10 when he was first elected.

You are correct in that Reagan never had the advantage of both houses of congress controlled by republicans. The 97th, 98th, and 99th congresses were controlled by a republican senate but all 3 congresses were controlled by a democratic house. And, lo and behold, guess which branch controls the purse strings? You guessed it, the house of representatives. No wonder we never got anywhere with fiscal control.

The section on Reagan as Great Communicator is true and not true - although he deprecated himself about being a "Great Communicator", denying it, he was. But he had something to say, something we all wanted to hear and believed in. The Democrats for years thought that they just needed to get someone to communicate their ideas better, never realizing that their ideas were all too clear. I think (and hope if I can use that word) Obama is now making the same mistake - he thinks he needs to explain his ideas, but we finally understand what he stands for.

Mr. Alexander,

Please read the 4February issue of "Advertising Age" regarding Walmart dropping Glad and Hefty food bags and the comments following the article.

As I recall, there was a GUM department store in Moscow. . are we heading there in your opinion?

Thank you for a super publication.

Joni Groves

The term "Trickle up poverty" is attributed to Michael Savage. I first heard that term used there, and he said others eventually will use it, and he was right. I know many don't like Savage because of his insults to those on the right that he sees as hypocrites. He is a strong voice for conservatism and should be acknowledged.

Ted Wood, there are so many spelling errors in your email that it's hard to take you seriously!

Ronald Reagan participated in life~both the good and the bad and choose to respond to the glass half full philosophy. A faithfulness and hopefullness that came from his deep belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He kept our country safe and our economy flourished. He gave God the glory. It is my firm belief that more Americans need to return to the roots of Christ's teachings, attend a church and yo learn more about leadership. Just because Obama is leading does not mean we must follow. Obama attends no church that I know of and he does not appear to honor his flag or his country (if indeed this is his country). I pray for Obama and all of America. Americans - God is at the helm and America shall perservere regardless of our President's inability to see America's goodness, care about our desires and join ranks with all Americans to hold up the Constitution and say "God bless you and God bless America" like he MEANS it.

I just do not know what this country is doing Could sure use a Ronald Reagan. I cannot see how every move the chosen one makes is talked about as how great he is about died when picture cam around of her exiting Air Force One in cut offs if the picture is real. Can someone tell me in his first year in office how many days he was in Washington as in his State of the Union address things are not going well because the message has not been gotten to the people. Stay in Washington and do your job. Let George Lopez do his without you and all the other talk shows. I despise them thumbing their noses at the American people and that is what they are doing every day.

Dear Rifleman,

I,too, sir, have had these "experiences with these agencies". "FORCED" to participate and then "the bitter waters". How wicked, the "legislators" change the contract after the "fact", and when you find out that they have "changed the contract" is when you trustingly ask for your "settlement". Only to find out the "rules have changed" and we now, believe in "sharing YOUR wealth"!!!!?????

"For as long as memory will serve, I'll never forget her answer. She looked at me straight in the face and said, "There are people out there who need it worse than you."

Your quote should be read and remembered by all Americans. You trusted them, and when it comes time for "settlement", you find "they have pulled the rug out from under you."

MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY VOLUNTARY. They owe you with "INTEREST".

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Thank you for Pres Reagan's words. They are timeless. Will we ever find another like him at our nation's helm? GOD HELP US!!!

When you stated that current Republicans could not pass muster on the "Unity Principle for Support of Candidates", would you please identify them by name. When I receive mailings for money funding by individuals running in different states, I would like to know their true positions.

Thanks for the consideration.

If only the current president would heed those words.

I don't know what MORE these "Socialists" need to do to finally CONVINCE you--from their POLITICAL agenda--they AREN'T "Democrats", "Leftists, Left-Wingers", or "Progressives" (or the myriad of other nicknames BOTH of you use to INCORRECTLY identify them to the American voters), but if you don't IMMEDIATELY start CORRECTLY identifying by theire REAL political agenda--SOCIALISM--they will KEEP WINNING elections! You should NOT be calling them by any OTHER name than what they are: "Socialists!"

Do you know that the constitution forbids dealing with our enemies. That is what the Rep party did in the Iran Contra deal. Reagan also failed to uphold the constitution in that he took an oath to defend us from invasion. What happened when Millions of Mexican came across the boarder. He pardoned them. Reagan would not be able to run on the Reb. Party platform today. He did not attend church much. He married a non-believer. If you go back and look at his greatest move as to work with the USSR. Most Rep. Party were very much against it. I still have pic. the party put out showing him with Dem Leaders who support him. The Pics show him and the Dems together with the wording Reagan's true friends. Cheney then in congress called him a commie stooge.