Reagan y sus cartas

Recientemente me encontré con el libro Reagan: A Life in Letters y es, en realidad, excelente. El trabajo es editado por varios autores y compila miles de cartas que escribió Ronald Reagan.

Reagan, desde niño y hasta sus últimos días e incluyendo los años en que fue gobernador de California y presidente de Estados Unidos, tuvo la costumbre de escribir cartas. Algunos lo consideran el mandatario más prolífico en la historia norteamericana. Se calcula que escribió más de 10,000 cartas (obvio, a mano). Los temas y destinatarios son increíblemente variados: desde asuntos familiares, asuntos de estado con funcionarios y otros presidente, hasta notas de agradecimiento a ciudadanos que no conocía pero que se tomaban la molestia de escribirle.

Aquí dos cartas que considero reflejan un poco la forma de ser de Reagan.

La primera es una carta a su esposa Nancy Reagan escrita en la Navidad en 1975.


Nancy Reagan
Los Angeles, California
December 25, 1975

Dear Mommie:

The star in the East was a miracle as was the Virgin Birth. I have no trouble believing in those miracles because a miracle happened to me and it's still happening.

Into my life came one tiny "dear" and "a light shone round about." That light still shines and will as long as I have you. Please be careful when you cross the street. Don't climb on any ladders. Wear your rubbers when it rains. I love my light and I don't want to be ever in the dark again.

I love you-Merry Christmas,
Your ranch hand



La segunda carta es una que Reagan envió a un elector católico en Ohio quien previamente le había escrito para informarle que le había enviado una nota a sus legisladores y a su obispo señalándoles que apoyaba su política exterior (la que sostenía Reagan).


Dr. Martin P. Harpen
Dayton, Ohio
June 21, 1983

Dear Mr. Harpen:

Thank you very muchfor your kind letter and generous words. I am pleased and proud to have your support. I'm glad that you are registering your feeling with your senators and Representative Hall. If only more people would realize they can influence their elected officials by making their feelings known we'd solve a great many problems. I repeatedly say this but the press doesn't quote me on this subject, their excuse being that I've said it before.

You are so right about no agreement with the Soviets being better that a bad agreement. I've impressed this on our negotiators. I know ho distressed you must be with the bishops' message on the freeze but I'm sure you are correct about the rank and file. Any number of priests have gone out of their way to tell me of their disagreement.

Again thanks for your letter. We'll keep trying.

Sincerely,

Ronald Reagan

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