President Jimmy Carter and Big Government Spending

Although Carter was a likable man, the role of president was not the job for him. His big government spending and policies were responsible for leading our fragile country into one of the worst economic recessions ever. However, this all changes in January of 1981 when President Ronald Reagan was sworn into office and came to our country’s rescue. Reagan stepped in ready to mend the deep scars left behind by setting forth an economic plan, Reaganomics, in hopes to bail out our sinking country. Though many may say Reagan’s conservative ways had this plan favoring the upper class, this was not the case.

In 1981 President Carter handed his duty to Ronald Reagan in a vulnerable time for the country. America was in an economic recession where inflation was at a high of more than 13% and unemployment was through the roof. The unfortunate mixture resulted in the trouble of stagflation. Stagflation, which was simply the outcome of the high prices and unemployment with zero economic growth, showed Reagan that change would be vital to bringing our country back to life (Gramm, Phil). A cure to this included two things- tightening the budget to control inflation and promoting growth by cutting taxes (Bartley, Robert L.).

Although Reagan was once a liberal Democrat during Roosevelt’s time, in 1962 he switched teams and became a leading advocate for Conservatives with Richard Nixon (“Ronald Reagan”). Reagan’s philosophy was not to simply save people with government like FDR had thought, but save people from the government (Armstrong, Jennifer). He was a strong believer in small government and realized the unlimited government was a huge reason behind the crumbling nation. Democrats primarily favor big government with lots of spending to d...

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...e economic recession and the overall plan put in place by Reagan was necessary and most beneficial to everyone.

There is no doubt Reaganomics caused a long prosperous economic age, therefore helping both the upper and lower class. In his telephone interview he says, “I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to suggest that they have not benefited from this recovery” and he is right (Telephone Interview). America went through some tough times, but with the help of great political leaders she was revitalized and renewed. His tax cuts were justifiable with his supply-side economic theory and his budget was able to stay intact with his cut backs on social programs, which were made up elsewhere. Not only was Reaganomics responsible for saving America in a desperate time during Reagan’s rule, but it had positive lasting effects for years to come, leaving the economy booming.