Why do people hate Carter so much? He did some really stupid things, yes, but he also deregulated industries, lessened the federal War on Drugs, pardoned the draft dodgers, legalized home brewing, and installed Volcker as chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Don't get me wrong; he completely deserved the landslide defeat. But he was probably the most harmless Democrat of the 20th century.
Well (to use a Reaganism), Carter had the Midas touch in reverse. Everything he touched turned to $#!^
Lets review by category:
Foreign Policy - Carter started off by noting that past Presidents had exhibited a fear/loating of the Soviet Union which he did not share. The result was Soviet expansionism throughout the world.
Defense Policy - Despite being an Annapolis graduate, Carter exhibited a loathing for the Armed Forces, and repeatedly attacked them in a number of ways, including providing increases for civil service compensation by opposing increases for armed service personnel compensation.
Economic Policy - Carter had a number of policies (including his nutty energy policy) which resulted in double digit inflation. Not since the great depression was American in such bad economic shape.
Social Policy - Carter attempted an end run around Congress by using the FTC to bring about gun control and banning natural food supplements. He managed the incredible of bringing righties and lefties together in opposition.
I could go on and on and on about his many stupid polcies and the disasterous results for the country. He may have meant well, but the results were awful.
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