Was America better off after Ronald Reagan left office?

No! America is still suffering tremendously from the effects of the economic policies produced by the Reagan administration. The tax breaks for the rich that were a hallmark of Reagan's era have resulted in budget deficits, which have led to an increase in the national debt. These policies, unsustainable as they are, continue to plague our nation, making it increasingly difficult to create a decent society to live in.

The Deterioration of the American Worker's Standard of Living

Regan's war against workers and organized labor was relentless. Prior to Reagan's presidency, workers could earn a decent living wage. Thanks to the organized labor and collective bargaining agreements, the American worker was able to protect their livelihoods. However, under Reagan, many of these protections were stripped away. Today, fewer than 9% of American workers are organized in labor unions.

In terms of working-class standards of living, America's wages rank among the lowest in the First World. Consequently, the American working class faces one of the highest poverty rates in the world, with approximately 20% of our children living in poverty.

The Repercussions of Deregulation

Along with Reagan's war on honest working-class citizens came a policy of deregulation. This has had severe consequences, leading to an increase in pollution from corporate activity, and a deterioration in air quality. The US has become one of the largest contributors to the crisis of global warming and climate change.

The Widening Wealth Gap

Reagan's tax-cutting policies have also contributed to the wealth gap in society. These tax cuts, which still plague the nation, have shifted wealth accumulation from working-class citizens to the wealthy class. As a result, the gap between the haves and have-nots is one of the largest in human history.

A steady decline in American economic standing

Our country has been in a steady decline for over 35 years, with the beginning of this descent traceable to the policies enacted by the Reagan administration. The era of American economic supremacy is long over. While the US was once the economic leader among wealthy industrialized nations, it is no longer even in the top ten list of those nations. And the decline continues annually.

These changes are not without their benefits for some, as the rich continue to get much richer. But the wide-reaching negative impacts on the working class, the environment, and economic standing suggest that we must do better. The era of Reagan can serve as a cautionary tale about the long-term consequences of policies that prioritize the interests of the wealthy at the expense of the broader society.