Tear Down This Myth: How the Reagan Legacy Has Distorted Our Politics and Haunts Our Future
by Will Bunch
published 2009

It’s easy to take for granted recent history more than distant periods like the Civil War.  For more current times, we think we can rely on our memory.  But that’s exactly why it’s essential to read a book like Tear Down This Myth to clarify the events and effects of, in this case, Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

There has been a successful effort by the GOP to create a legend out of Reagan.  And the biggest myth they’ve created is that Reagan ended the Cold War.  This particular myth makes us think that Reagan tough talked his way with the Soviets.  When he gave his “tear down this wall” speech in 1987, it only made it to page three in the New York Times.  He was already speaking and  negotiating with Gorbachev since 1985.  The end of the Cold War did not end, because Reagan told the Soviets to do so.  There were many factors that led to it including the economic stagnation in the USSR and Gorbachev’s policies.  An interesting argument is that the rise of the PC also contributed to the decline of the Cold War.  The US was having a high tech revolution in the 1980s and the Soviets were being left behind.

Another big myth is that Reagan freed the Iranian hostages in 1980.  Negotiations were occurring in November and December of 1980 and January 1981.  Yes, that’s right, under the Carter administration.  A final agreement was made on January 17, 1981 and officially became the Algiers Accords on January 19th.  Reagan’s inauguration ceremony was on January 20, 1981, the same day the hostages were physically released.

One anecdote that stood out in the book was the $1 million contract Reagan got in 1941 for his next seven films.   At the time, the marginal tax rate was over 90% on such an income.  Of course, Reagan thought it was too much to give the government and he was also feeling financially stressed from his divorce from Jane Wyman.  So in 1981, when he reduced the marginal income tax rate, the wealthiest benefited the most.  Their rate dropped from 70% to 50% while those in the lower income bracket only saw their rate decline from 14% to 11%.  The author also gives other examples of the negative effects of Reagan’s policies including the Iran-Contra affair.

I recommend this book if you want o gain a realistic understanding of Reagan’s legacy.  See what you remember and what you didn’t.  You will also gain some insight into the large role Grover Norquist played in building the Reagan myth and creating the GOP we know today.