52nd City

How are you going to celebrate Ronald Reagan Day?

Maybe I am just feeling grumpy, but during the session today the Missouri House of Representatives approved (98-44) the establishment of February 6th as Ronald Reagan Day in the State of Missouri and I am completely bugged by it.

Setting aside that I come from a long line of Reagan dislikers, it frustrates me when a legislative body wastes time on something so unnecessary, and so subjective. I would imagine a number of the legislators who had to sit through the debate feel the same way. There is no general consensus that Ronald Reagan was a hero so why push such a thing? Why even bring it up at all? In 1980 Reagan garnered 50.7% of the popular vote, and in 1984, 58.8%. Healthy percentages to be sure, but those numbers still mean that half to almost half of the voters voted AGAINST him. We already have a President's Day on the calendar. Doesn't that cover it? He already has an airport named after him – something else that bugs me. Isn't that enough?

Ok, end of rant. Thank you for indulging me.

When listening to the House floor debate (Yes, I often listen to the floor debate live via the computer -- and yes, everyone makes fun of me.) I usually focus on things of greater significance, but sometimes the little things really irritate - and Ronald Reagan Day sure got under my skin today. Here is the Resolution language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 23
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
4832L.01I
 
AN ACT
Relating to the observance of Ronald Reagan Day in Missouri.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Whereas, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, a man of humble background, worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good, having been employed as an entertainer, Union leader, corporate spokesman, Governor of California, and President of the United States; and

             Whereas, Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of America, the second of which he earned the confidence of 60% of the electorate and was victorious in 49 of the 50 states in the general election - a record unsurpassed in the history of American presidential elections; and

             Whereas, in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated President, he inherited a disillusioned nation shackled by rampant inflation and high unemployment; and

             Whereas, during Mr. Reagan's presidency, he worked in a bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring accountability and common sense to government which led to an unprecedented economic expansion and opportunity for millions of Americans; and

             Whereas, Mr Reagan's commitment to an active social policy agenda for the nation's children helped lower crime and drug use in our neighborhoods; and

             Whereas, President Reagan's commitment to our armed forces contributed to the restoration of pride in America, her values and those cherished by the free world, and prepared America's Armed Forces to meet 21st Century challenges; and

             Whereas, President Reagan's vision of "peace through strength" led to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing basic human rights for millions of people; and

             Whereas, February 6, 2008, will be the 97th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's birth, and the third since his passing:

             Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby declare February 6th of each year to be "Ronald Reagan Day" in Missouri and urge all citizens of Missouri to recognize this event and participate fittingly in its observance; and

             Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to the Governor for his approval or rejection pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.