Ronald Reagan will go down in history as one of the most influential and loved presidents of a generation, but people who use him as a prop will always see him as their conservative mold. This funhouse mirror version of the president isn't necessarily better than the man was, but it is a much more neo-conservative Reagan. Don't get me wrong, the man was a staunch republican, but he was in no ways a neo-con.

We must remember that President Reagan was originally a democrat, and that durring his presidency he raised taxes. He also avoided conflict instead of provoking it. He was for civil unions for gay couples, and he wasn't afraid of a little word called "compromise". Sadly, polarization of political parties makes it impossible for a pragmatic star to shine, when they feel they "own the icon". I was happy to see that TIME magazine cover, comparing Reagan and Obama. I bet that makes people like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich's blood boil.

Ronald Reagan will always be an inspiration in my heart for political motives and common-sense politics. Happy 100th birthday President Ronald Reagan.