David Durenberger: “attending the funeral of President Richard M. Nixon last week was an extremely moving experience for me, as I'm sure it…”

“attending the funeral of President Richard M. Nixon last week was an extremely moving experience for me, as I'm sure it was for many of my colleagues. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Richard Nixon shaped the politics and the attitudes of a whole generation of Americans. Indeed, I think all Americans--regardless of party or political ideology--have lost a great resource with the passing of America's 37th President. Richard Nixon brought to the analysis of America's global and domestic problems an intellect rarely matched in the history of statecraft. In the final judgment of history, he will be remembered primarily for his geopolitical audacity in the opening to Communist China--and bringing America's influence to bear on the future of the 1 billion people who live in that country. By opening the window of U.S. diplomacy and trade, Nixon laid the groundwork for the integration of the world's most populous nation into full membership in the world community. That process continues today-- and, as a result of Nixon's opening, sober analysts have high hopes for mainland China in the 21st century. In his domestic policy, Nixon combined a belief in free market economics with a recognition of the need for decisive government action to mitigate the defects of the market.”