Reply #55: How soon "they" forget: Unemployment and Ronald Reagan, 1983 [View All]

[DailyGrind51]

Remember when Republicans didn't blame THEIR President for high unemployment?


"1983 January 1: The official unemployment rate reaches 11.5 million. Hardest hit is "rustbelt." In Milwaukee, 20,000 wait in 20 degree weather to apply for 200 jobs at auto-frame factory.

January: Reagan's approval rating plummets to 35%.

January 31: Reagan submits his fiscal 1984 budget to Congress; $189billion deficit. A combination of the recession, tax cuts, and an increase in defense spending are to blame. Advisors urge Reagan to either raise taxes or cut defense, Reagan rejects the advice and vows to "stay the course.'" (Easy for him to talk, all his friends were employed!)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/timeline/index_4.html