Category: Ronald Reagan

Abuse of Constitution: Trump’s Indictments Signal Dangerous Political Trend

Commentary What we are witnessing in this roll-out of very questionable and even spurious indictments of former President Trump is a systematic abuse of the Constitution to which both parties have become addicted. In the first 190 years of its history, the only impeachment of a president of the United States was of Andrew Johnson…


Presidential Watches: 6 Timepieces Worn by American Presidents

Timepieces that have appeared on the wrists—or in the pockets—of the commander in chief throughout the centuries tell us a lot about their sartorial style and character. George Washington Jean-Antoine Lépine Pocket Watch (Courtesy of National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors) In November 1778, Gouverneur Morris asked George Washington if he could get him…


How to Be a Better Conversationalist, According to 5 American Presidents

When an American president speaks, it is heard around the world. Their words of wisdom are just as applicable to our everyday conversations. Be Open-Minded When he said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better,” Abraham Lincoln understood that one’s instinctive dislike of someone might have been formed in ignorance….


Creating a ‘New Normal’ for Science: Should We Really Leave That ‘Mission’ to the Feds?

Commentary Ronald Reagan once quipped that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” He might have spared some thought on the terrors inflicted by those who presume to advise government. We rightly blame elected officials for poor judgment. We should also blame the…


Red Flags, Bright Hopes: Four Presidential Farewell Addresses

In his article “Presidential Farewell Addresses,” Gleaves Whitney notes that before Harry Truman only three presidents had composed formal farewell addresses to the nation. As Whitney tells us, three factors likely account for this circumstance. First, some of the early chief executives held George Washington and his farewell address in such esteem that they deemed…


Canada May Avoid Official ‘Recession’ but Comparative Living Standards Continue to Fall

Commentary  The late U.S. president Ronald Reagan famously said in the 1980 election that “Recession is when your neighbour loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” He went on to win the presidency in large measure because Americans wanted a return to economic prosperity. This…


‘Bedtime for Bonzo’ from 1951: Aping Good Behavior

Commentary The film “Bedtime for Bonzo” from 1951 became a joke after actor turned politician Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States. After all, how many U.S. presidents can say that they starred in a movie opposite a chimpanzee? However, this comedy is a very entertaining picture with a valuable message. I always…


Can Reaganism Make a Return?

Commentary People tell me all the time: stop talking about Ronald Reagan. No one remembers that stuff. It’s a bit like feeling nostalgic for Calvin Coolidge. We have to move on with new messaging and new themes. I get the point but actually the best lessons for the way forward today are readily available via…


Epoch Cinema Documentary Review: ‘The Divine Plan’

When I first heard about director Robert Orlando’s 2019 documentary, “The Divine Plan,” (available to watch on Epoch Cinema), I thought its premise was intriguing. Part of the film’s description states “It remains the least-known story of the twentieth century—A president and a pope; an unlikely pair who combine deep faith with political acumen and high-octane…


Reaganomics vs. Bidenomics

News Analysis The legacy of former Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker, a Ronald Reagan appointee, is frequently invoked by financial media outlets in light of today’s high inflation, which has reached levels not seen since these men occupied office. Many wonder if current Fed Chair Jerome Powell has the resolve to combat inflation as his…