Throughout history we have had 44 presidencies that spanned back to the early days of our nation. Each president, know for there great triumphs or terrible failures, has a place in the past that will never be forgotten. Of course some stand out more than others, especially a man named Ronald Reagan. Recent polls show show Ronald Reagan is now rated as one of the best presidents ever, better than Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. He, in himself, is the essence of the American dream. He came from humble beginnings in Dixon, Illinois and soon after graduating college began a career in radio. Shortly after he got his feet into acting with a career that spanned 50 films. His move into politics came as a result of trouble in the
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His father, John Edward “Jack” Reagan, was a shoe salesman, and his mother, Nelle Wilson, a homemaker. He and his brother, Neil Reagan, growing up had to deal with their father's alcoholism. This caused them to move from one place to another until they finally settled in Dixon, Illinois (Reagan 23). His mom encouraged him to stay in school and participate in sports and drama. She was also the one to push Reagan to go to college and make something of himself so he would not end up like his father (Schaller 1-2). He “...remembered three things from his childhood: that his father was a drunk, that his mother was a saint, and that his ability to make an audience laugh afforded an antidote to life’s insecurities and embarrassments” (Brands 9). Peggy Noonan, one of Reagan's most effective White House speechwriters stated “Reagan's outward amiability is a reaction to his emotionally fragile childhood. I had a feeling he came from a sad house and for the rest of his life thought it was his job to cheer everyone up.” With such a sad upbringing he felt compelled to almost make up for it by making sure everyone he surrounded himself with had a good time. Through the rest of his life Reagan brought humor into serious topics to lighten the mood which made him a very effective
His father, John Edward “Jack” Reagan, was a shoe salesman, and his mother, Nelle Wilson, a homemaker. He and his brother, Neil Reagan, growing up had to deal with their father's alcoholism. This caused them to move from one place to another until they finally settled in Dixon, Illinois (Reagan 23). His mom encouraged him to stay in school and participate in sports and drama. She was also the one to push Reagan to go to college and make something of himself so he would not end up like his father (Schaller 1-2). He “...remembered three things from his childhood: that his father was a drunk, that his mother was a saint, and that his ability to make an audience laugh afforded an antidote to life’s insecurities and embarrassments” (Brands 9). Peggy Noonan, one of Reagan's most effective White House speechwriters stated “Reagan's outward amiability is a reaction to his emotionally fragile childhood. I had a feeling he came from a sad house and for the rest of his life thought it was his job to cheer everyone up.” With such a sad upbringing he felt compelled to almost make up for it by making sure everyone he surrounded himself with had a good time. Through the rest of his life Reagan brought humor into serious topics to lighten the mood which made him a very effective