Bobby Eberle
Tuesday, June 8, 2004

What was this threat to which President Carter referred? Was it the Soviet Union? Was it the floundering economy? No, it was not something tangible as Carter later explained in his speech, but rather a "crisis of confidence."

Thankfully, the rebirth of American confidence was just around the corner in the form of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Through his vision, determination, and compassion, Reagan came to be both respected and beloved, a combination that is indeed rare among political leaders.

In explaining the state of America and the threat facing our democracy, Carter went on to say, "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our Nation."

"The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America," Carter added.

In his speech, Carter quoted from "ordinary Americans" he had spoken with over a period of several weeks leading up to his address. Some of the comments Carter shared were from Americans saying that Carter was "not leading this Nation - you're just managing the Government." Another person told the president, ""Don't talk to us about politics or the mechanics of government, but about an understanding of our common good."

"Mr. President, we're in trouble. Talk to us about blood and sweat and tears," a citizen told Carter. Another said, "If you lead, Mr. President, we will follow."

As President Carter so accurately described, America was suffering a crisis of confidence. Unfortunately, America was also suffering a crisis of leadership. That changed in November, 1980 when voters turned out Carter after one term and put their faith in actor turned activist turned governor turned president, Ronald Reagan.

Reagan did not come to Washington with empty rhetoric and catchy one-liners, but rather a belief in a stable of ideas from which he did not waver. From day one, President Reagan sought to implement his conservative philosophy to rein in inflation, cut taxes, and fight the spread of communism.

In 1977, the year Carter took office, the inflation rate was 6.62 percent. The next year it jumped to 7.59 percent. In 1979, the rate soared to 11.28 percent, and in 1980, it hit a high of 13.48 percent. Inflation was out of control, and through Reagan's actions, inflation declined steadily from 10.36 percent in 1981 to a low of 1.86 percent in 1986. When Reagan left office the inflation rate held steady at a little over 4 percent.

The election of Ronald Reagan not only symbolized a new era of leadership for America, but the real effects of that leadership were immediately felt across the world. After 444 days of captivity, the Americans held hostage in Iran were released on the very day that Reagan became president. The hostages were a stark reminder of the lack of leadership in the White House. Reagan changed that perception by sending the message that America should be respected and feared.

In addressing the threat of communism, Reagan was convinced that the Soviet Union not only represented an "evil empire" but also that it represented a threat that must be met head-on. The Cold War was a war that must be won, and President Reagan was determined to win it.

Reagan sought to rebuild America's military and force the Soviets into an arms race that they could not win. By forcing the Soviets to spend more and more on military needs, Reagan believed that their economy would implode under the unsustainable weight of the massive expenditures.

The final straw was Reagan's push for a missile defense system to render Soviet ICBMs ineffective. Without the threat of mutually assured destruction if both America and the Soviet Union were to launch their nuclear arsenals, the Soviets were in a no-win situation. Through economic might, Reagan was able to win the cold war without a single shot being fired.

Reagan was also able to shape world opinion on the threat of communism and the virtues of democracy. Speaking at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin on June 12, 1987, Reagan called on the citizens of the communist regimes to embrace freedom and democracy.

"Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe," Reagan said. "From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guard towers. Farther south, there may be no visible, no obvious wall. But there remain armed guards and checkpoints all the same - still a restriction on the right to travel, still an instrument to impose upon ordinary men and women the will of a totalitarian state."

"Today I say: As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind," Reagan added. "Yet I do not come here to lament. For I find in Berlin a message of hope, even in the shadow of this wall, a message of triumph."

Reagan said at the time that in a "limited way," the Soviets "may be coming to understand the importance of freedom." President Reagan questioned whether the efforts made by the Soviet Union were "the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state" or "token gestures." Then, in a moment which set fire to the fuse of democratic hopes for Eastern Europe, Reagan said:

"There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Two years later, Reagan's dream became a reality as jack-hammers were shown chipping away at the wall that separated more than a city. Soviet communism was defeated, and countries that knew only oppression for so long, would soon feel the joys of freedom. Reagan accomplished what seemed an impossible task not only by flexing America's muscle and standing tough in his convictions, but also by grasping for the greater good in all people.

President Reagan believed in freedom, and he knew that if the words of freedom could reach the hearts and minds of those under communist rule, freedom would prevail.

Reagan rightfully won a landslide reelection in 1984 by running on the famous "morning in America" theme. The reason he won was that America not only believed the rhetoric, they saw the results. The man who seemed to be everyone's grandfather helped lead the country out of the memories of Vietnam, Nixon's resignation, double-digit inflation, and the "crisis of confidence."

Reagan is the president I grew up with. From high school through college, he was my president, and I will remember him fondly. In particular, I will remember that Reagan possessed the rare qualities that made him both beloved and respected - both admired and feared. My heart goes out to Nancy Reagan who through the sadness can also find a sense of peace and hope.

When Ronald Reagan announced publicly that he was battling Alzheimer's disease, he said, "When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future."

Reagan added, "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Mr. President, brighter dawns do lie ahead for this great country, and as you rest in peace, please know that we will never forget how you helped lead us down that road.

Bobby Eberle is President and CEO of GOPUSA (www.GOPUSA.com), a news, information, and commentary company based in Houston, TX. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rice University.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Ronald Reagan