Opinion and Analysis:
You could disagree with “the Gipper”, but this is how one leader, and a true American used to act:
Humility, humor and for lack of a better word, a human touch. A great formula for any leader regardless of party affiliation. You could have disagreements, but they were like disagreements with a family member. In the end you know you were part of the same family, all Americans and that somehow we’d all live to fight and hopefully prosper another day. No “list” of the “enemies within”. Several days, perhaps even a few months would pass without a crisis. Oh, for the good ole days.
Reagan’s words are still very relevant today. Tariffs are inherently inflationary and, according to the heretofore universally respected, if not worshipped, Ronald Reagan, do not protect American jobs. Moreover, Reagan correctly points out that past use of them and other “protective” trade barriers either cause or directly contributed to the Great Depression of the late 1920’s that took years, if not a decade to overcome.
Trump’s abandonment of the fundamental free trade/free market principles enunciated by Adam Smith in his famous universally recognized book, known as “The Wealth of Nations”, is one reason why today’s Republican Party cannot be said to be the same GOP as in bygone days. Smith’s free trade/free market principles were central to and a fundamental part of Republican ideology for over a century. In fact, in our opinion, today’s GOP is quite a different and much more sinister animal and is, indeed, very infected by: (i) plutocratic talking points, (ii) Russian disinformation; (iii) Fascist ideals and frankly, (iv) thuggery with absolutely no attempt being made by Trump to unify the country or to gain the voluntary support of Democrats, Progressives and “Never Trump” Republicans
And if you don’ t believe the foregoing consider what another Republican President had to say:
President Bush’s words are so true. There’s no question that Bush views, isolationism (a type of foreign policy), protectionism (a type of international trade policy) and to quote Bush, “it’s evil triplet” “nativism” which is central to the Trump’s policies towards immigrants.