Ronald Reagan showed a positive, cooperative, hopeful, future that is missing in the whole Washington political scene today. He was upbeat and positive about America. His winning smile, witty remarks and nonpartisan belief in Congress and the people is not the hallmark of the imperial, secretive, go-it-alone, money controlled syndrome now in control of America. We could stand a big dose of Reagan congeniality in today’s campaign and tomorrow’s administration.

Although this is a time to praise Reagan for the wonderful man he was, it is not time to forget the awful mess in which he left the country. Debt, war, loss of civil liberties and the growing rich-poor divide were his legacies. Giving him credit for ending the Cold War is just a unearned bonus for his praise. The list could be longer. But this is not the time. What we need is more of Ronnie’s pleasant demeanor and less of his bad policies.

What we are now getting is the opposite.

Bill Ellis, Rangeley