After letters were written by the family of Ronald Reagan, an upcoming production of a movie focusing on the 40^th president’s battle with Alzheimer’s in his second term has been scrapped.

Of course the right wing jumped at an opportunity to claim “foul.” Their demagogue would have been the focal point of a comedy, starring a popular celebrity in Will Ferrell.

There is nothing humorous about Alzheimer’s disease. Those who have experienced the disease within their own family will tell you honestly that it is the most devastating condition anyone could experience.

But the fact is that Reagan’s second term was less than stellar. While Ted Cruz continuously uses his name while speaking to supporters, he is the opposite of Reagan; in fact, Reagan’s family has claimed that he would have openly denounced Cruz. There is no resemblance to the man who accomplished many things for the people of the United States to a man who has attempted to destroy our Democratic Republic by failing to work in the Senate. In Reagan’s second term, it was obvious that this was a different man.

This change was initially regarded as a natural condition of an aging president. When talk of increasing lack of lucidity began, comedians saw Reagan as fair game. Phil Hartman portrayed Reagan as a man displaying the onset of dementia on Saturday Night Live.

Politicians frequently targets for comedians, and presidents are at the top of the list. Farrell’s portrayal of Reagan in his second term would have been directed at his missteps and sometimes strange behavior.

During the time Reagan was in office, the American people laughed at depictions of the president napping more frequently than working in the oval office, not aware that his condition was more severe. He was portrayed falling asleep while in meetings. Americans chuckled about his cowboy hat and penchant for jelly beans. First Lady Nancy Reagan was not removed from humorous depictions. Her decision to bring an astrologer into the White House was fodders for comic writers. She was frequently depicted as the ‘woman behind the man,’ whispering in her husband’s ear the words he intended to speak.

All this said, I commend Mr. Farrell for his decision. Those who read the screenplay believed that the eventual production would have been very successful, and very funny. His decision to cease production efforts and remove himself from the starring role for reasons of compassion are impressive. This film could have produced millions of dollars in revenue and salaries for Ferrell and the cast and crew, but money suddenly became less important than the human condition.

This is a good example for the Republican Party; they should note that ‘people before profit’ is American, while ‘profit before people’ is fascist.

But they probably won’t learn anything from Mr. Ferrell’s example.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Eva Rinaldi

Read James Turnage at http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2