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Ronald Reagan

 

First, the American public, when informed about contra-related activity in Nicaragua, were alarmed to find out the contras, trained by the CIA, repeatedly committed atrocities on Nicaraguan civilians. These actions made them seem more like terrorists than "Founding Fathers-. Secondly, the press released information concerning a blackbook written by the CIA, that was given to the contras. The blackbook contained information teaching the contras how to blackmail Nicaraguan civilians into supporting the contras as well as coercing top officials to support them. Lastly, public opinion wavered when the CIA was found to be mining harbors around Nicaragua. .
             During this time, out of the public's line of sight, Reagan's administration sold weapons to Iran in order to fund the contras. The weapons were sold to Iran in exchange for American hostages, an act completely out of line with American Foreign Policy. At first, Reagan denied any US involvement with the exchange of weapons to fund the contras, but eventually said he was not "fully informed- on the matter. Senator John Glenn described this deception best when he stated, "If he knew about it, then he has willfully broken the law; if he didn't know about it, then he is failing to do his job -.
             In 1980-81, America wallowed in a deep recession. Inflation rose at a tremendous rate, jobs were dissolved nationwide, and mortgage rates topped the charts. It was time for a new economic plan to come forth. Reagan suggested, in his 1981 speech to Congress, that tax cuts, lower government expenditures, funds for a defense system, and the creation of millions of new jobs were all within reach if Congress would support a new bipartisan economic reform plan. This plan called into action the largest tax cut in American history. The American people looked at this action as a great benefit to their present-day personal well being, when, in fact, years later the true outcome of this new plan would reveal itself.


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