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Why do critics of Reagan, even some uneducated conservatives, fail to realize that he cut the rate of growth?

The federal deficit fell from 6% of GDP in 1983 to 3.2% of GDP in 1987. The federal deficit in Reagan's final budget fell to 2.9% of GDP. The rate of growth in federal spending fell from 4% under Jimmy Carter to 2.5% under Ronald Reagan.

Yes Reagan did add to the debt, but it was a deal that had to be made so the democrat controlled Congress would pass his Reaganomics tax cut plan. Even so, compared to Carter, he still actually cut the rate in growth of deficit spending and federal debt.

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Because people just look at raw numbers without context. The spending cuts that were bargained for with his tax increase never materialized as the Democrats continued their massive spending because revenues were rising so fast. Reagan was furious about the whole situation but this was just one on many examples of Democrats failing to keep up their end of a bargain when it comes to spending cuts..

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Reagan still expanded government in areas that are critical.

    Republicans during that era were elected to end wars and keep America out of wars, Ronald Reagan got America back involved in policing the world business, invaded countries and got countless Marines killed.

    He supported dictators and his administration was involved in one of the most controversial conspiracies ever. The Iran-Contra Affair, which led to 13 convictions of people in his cabinet ranging from conspiracy to defraud the USA, treason, and etc. They were all pardoned by George H Bush.

    Not looking at the "data sheet" Reagan was a terrible Neocon president. His whole administration was corrupt.

  • bebout
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    What did your boy Jimmy Carter do while the Iranians held one hundred fifty of our human beings hostage for a pair years. Oh that is optimal- no longer something. And what took place the day Reagan grew to become into sworn in? Oh that is optimal- the Iranians enable the hostages bypass! accident? i think of no longer. As to why he enable 240 U.S. marine deaths bypass unpunished- idk. I in no way heard approximately that, yet i'm going to anticipate your telling the reality. enable's think of roughly what grew to become into occurring in 1982. The economic device sucked, unemployment grew to become into sky intense, and we've been interior the midst of the chilly conflict. the U.S. had what proportion nukes pointed at us? that is undesirable that those 240 marines died, yet i'm advantageous Reagan calculated that it grew to become into greater considerable to look after the lives of the 250 million individuals nonetheless alive than avenge the deaths of 240 fallen infantrymen, tragic as that grew to become into, by stepping right into a messy conflict. you besides might say it grew to become right into a terrorist attack. grew to become into there any no longer ordinary data of who had performed the attack? Did all of us comprehend precisely who it grew to become into so we'd comprehend who to bypass after? might you recomend that we attack an entire united states of america to get to a minimum of one terror cellular? Terrorists function in small companies for the period of the worldwide. We in all probability had covert ops communities going after them. possibly we did get payback, yet in no way heard approximately it using fact it took place someplace the place we weren't meant to be. Or using fact Reagan grew to become into humble and did no longer tout all his accomplishments like the incompentent president we've got. Reagan grew to become into the suited president this united states of america has ever had. have self assurance it or no longer, he did win 40 9 states in his 2d term. He did greater sturdy for this united states of america and inspired greater of its human beings than any liberal ever will.

  • ?
    Lv 5
    10 years ago

    so, you're saying that gov. spending did all that?

    impressive no? (remember that Reagan greatly increased gov. spending)

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  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Reagan was the best ever !! there's no question !!

  • rusty
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    Love how you have to get in a cheap shot !

  • Misha
    Lv 4
    10 years ago
    Source(s): Idiot above: Carter lost 6 countries to Communism in 4 years. Reagan brought freedom to 200 million people!
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