Editorial: U.S. can learn good, bad of presidency

President Ronald Reagan was one of the most well-liked and
influential leaders of the 20th century. His death is a sad moment
for America ““ it marks the passing of a man who had a vision
of prosperity and optimism that inspired the nation.

Certainly, his vision did not work for everyone. During his
tenure, many Americans fell below the poverty line or were
otherwise disenfranchised. Hospitals closed and universities became
more expensive. And ironically, though he is remembered as a fiscal
conservative, the federal deficit exploded.

The complexity of his legacy is what makes it so
interesting.

Reagan was the longest-living U.S. president, and the only
president to leave office with a higher approval rating than when
he entered office. He was the founder or champion of numerous
conservative policies and practices, including trickle-down
economics, Star Wars, military spending at the expense of social
programs, old-fashioned patriotic optimism and Reagan
Democrats.

Few undergraduates are old enough to remember the details of his
governorship or presidency, but his efforts continue to directly
affect the state and the nation.

He worked tirelessly to defeat the Soviet Union ““ or the
“Evil Empire,” as he called it. His massive defense
spending and fantastic Star Wars programs undoubtedly hastened the
demise of the USSR.

He inspired Republicans and Democrats alike to believe that
America was headed toward a prosperous future. Known as the
“Great Communicator,” he used his training as a
Hollywood actor to put a good face forward, even when the news was
troubling.

As governor, he doubled California’s higher education
budget.

Because of Reagan, conservatives across the nation were
inspired. Many Americans remember his presidency as a time of
hope.

But some of his policies and ideals were shortsighted and
harmful.

In California, Reagan served as governor in the 1960s and
’70s. During his campaign, he spoke against the Free Speech
Movement and vowed to clean up “the mess at Berkeley.”
After his election, he clashed with many students and
administrators.

Then-UC President Clark Kerr became one of his biggest enemies.
During his gubernatorial campaign, he targeted Kerr for being too
soft on student protesters. After he was elected, he proposed a
plan to cut tens of millions of dollars from the University of
California budget, institute tuition and force students to play by
his rules.

When Kerr opposed these plans, Reagan cooperated with the FBI to
find evidence that could be used against the UC leader and the
students. Later, Reagan successfully got the UC Regents to fire
Kerr.

Despite Reagan’s attempts to make students pay tuition,
the UC is still officially tuition-free. Still, the thousands in
“fees” that students now pay each year can be traced
directly to Reagan’s early proposals.

As Americans reflect on Reagan’s life and leadership, it
is important not to gloss over the details that may be unfavorable.
He led the United States during a crucial period of growth and
conflict, and we owe it to future generations to remember and learn
from his legacy, both the good and the bad.