The man who saved me from myself
I am not wishy-washy, not a fence-sitter, not weak, not afraid, and not a moderate. I am comfortable with my convictions, stand tall thanks to my faith, and optimistically steer my life accordingly. Despite gathering a pocketful of pain over the years, I love life, am not bitter, and do my best to treat the deserving with whom I interact with respect -- and to tolerate those who do not...
It was not always so. After Kennedy, Johnson, and Vietnam, I was disillusioned and angry. During the '70s I was contemptuous of politicians, angered by my fellow citizens who betrayed me and so many others, and was infected by the gloom that seemed to permeate everything in America.
Vision and clarity
But then in 1976 I heard about a speech given by a locally popular political figure from a western state. I was intrigued by the excitement displayed by the person who told me about this speech, so I searched for it in the library (there were no computers and no Internet). When I found it, I paid to have a copy made. I read and reread the words -- words of a man who exuded courage, who exhibited a moral clarity others lacked, who knew exactly what he was doing, what he believed, and what he envisioned for his beloved nation.
Those two flimsy pages of words started me on a path that would ultimately save my life.
But although my outlook was just beginning its positive progression, it took four more years of absolute, unmitigated misery and shame for America and her people before the author of those life-changing words was chosen to lead the nation.
Ronald Wilson Reagan won America's respect with his greatness and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt, and, because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny.
Where once the failed presidency of Jimmy Carter infected us with years of despondency at home and the black bile of defeatism abroad, Ronald Reagan infused us with hope, exorcised our self-doubts, and renewed within us the American ethic that all dreams are possible if you are committed and work to make it so.
Honorably defend your beliefs
Ronald Reagan taught me that it is important to take a stand and not sit on a fence, even when doing so guarantees that you will be vilified for your convictions. He understood that we are compelled to honestly mean and live by what we say and do, but to do so with humility and honor. He served as an example over a period of four decades, illustrating to all that it is right and proper to be a reflection of what we believe.
Apparently he taught others as well. Despite constant attacks from the Left and being despised by the Republican Establishment, Reagan was elected and re-elected in two landslides and earned the support of millions of blue-collar democrats. When he left office he still enjoyed a 63 percent approval rating, a public approval benchmark the likes of which no other modern president can boast.
Ronald Reagan is still loved and honored throughout the world and, as those historians without political axes to grind accurately predicted, is today universally considered to be one of America's greatest presidents.
I was saved from a life of bitterness, saved from being a perpetual skeptic. When challenged, I look for positive outcomes. When knocked down, I get up. When wrong, I accept responsibility. When others are in need, I help. I am not a democrat, republican, libertarian, green, socialist, or anarchist. I am a Reagan conservative and life is good.