The American Spectator

Reader Mail

p> OUR RON br> Re: Paul Beston's Reagan's Silver Glow : /p> p>Great article. I was struck by how similar Mr. Beston's story is to my own. I, also as a 14 year old, was captivated by the Great Man, only my journey took place four years earlier, during Mr. Reagan's run for the Republican nomination in 1976. The race was almost over, as President Ford had managed to fend off the Reagan challenge after the near-upset in New Hampshire, and Ford had won all the primaries that came after. That spring, the candidates were coming to my home state of North Carolina, with Reagan hanging on by a thread and Ford ready to kill off the Reagan Revolution once and for all. I remember being enthralled by Ronald Reagan's oratory, totally enamored of his ideas. There was no "evil empire" moment, not yet, but you knew what he meant. And Jesse Helms was tireless, working for Reagan as if his own life depended on it. The news coverage was impressive to a young 14 year old, believe me. All through the last weekend, right up to and including election day. And that Tuesday night, we got the results: Reagan had won! My home state had rescued my hero from oblivion, and I was very proud. Still am. My parents thought I'd gone insane, and they had a point. How many 14 year olds really give a hoot about politics? Not many, to be sure. But I was hooked, forever. Started worshipping that man, and have never stopped. Again, great job, Mr. Beston. You've brought back a lot of fond memories for me. br> -- Warren Scott /p>

I found this article intensely compelling. Somehow the U.S. went from the exuberance of JFK to lethargic gloom and doom of Jimmy Carter in a scant two decades. Then came RR. He spoke not to history, but to us, the citizens. He recognized that we are the engine that drives America. He knew that we were just waiting for someone to start us up, even though we may not have realized that.

This was a timely read for me because Mr. Carter was interviewed on the KGB-in-America PBS network this morning as I drove to work. He opined that the difference between Republicans and Democrats is that the former seek to expand America's influence by force of arms while that latter seek to change America to be more compatible with other countries. Why Democrats seek to make America more like the places our ancestors fled is beyond me. Europe is moving away from socialism because it is not affordable. Democrats want us to be collectivized and march to socialism's beat. Europeans are just beginning to understand this cruel, implacable foe that is the Muslim world. Democrats want us to "negotiate" with them.

p>I like things here pretty much the way they are. Everybody has an equal opportunity to try and fail and then again. br> -- Jay W. Molyneaux

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