S6:E45 Ronald Reagan’s Double Cross
Ronald Reagan pulls a fast one on the Screen Actors’ Guild
Before he became president, Reagan was the head of the Screen Actors’ Guild. While he held that office, he worked out a sweetheart deal between MCA (an agent for actors) and the Screen Actors’ Guild. In the process, he messed over the actors in SAG while walking away with a plush job. Coincidence? Robert Kennedy Sr. didn’t think so. The investigation is one reason why Reagan, a solid Democrat, switched to the Republican Party.
Reagan was a “business-first” kind of leader
When it came down to backing his followers or helping big business, he chose business. The same was true when he fought air traffic controllers. In this way, you can see the influence of Ayn Rand. This strongman president often sided with business, while blaming societal ills on the poor.
Reagan grew up as a poor kid, but he later became a famous radio star and movie icon. When his star faded, he became a political guest speaker and found a new path forward.
In this episode, we’re going to better understand the groundwork for the Reagan presidency. Our special guest is historian and author Rick Perlstein.
Sources:
- Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz
- US v. Paramount Pictures from Justia
- article from the Reagan library
- Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot
- The Invisible Bridge and Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
- CNN article on Paul Manafort
- Reagan’s speech at the Neshoba County Fair
- NPR article on the infamous “welfare queen”
Discussion Questions:
- Why is it valuable to understand Reagan’s role in messing with his union?
- How did his treatment of his union parallel that of his actions against air traffic controllers?
- What do you think of Reagan and his legacy?
- Why have some Republicans lifted him up as the ultimate conservative?