Ronald Reagan is the longest serving president to date, and the effects of his presidency have affected not only the United States of America but also most of the world . The consensus among historians is that Ronald Reagan left a lasting and important legacy in many ways. His Reaganomics dramatically improved the American economy and ensured its future economic prosperity. He also fought communism head-on and successfully ended it in most parts of the world, but most importantly in Soviet Russia. However, in doing so, he became embroiled in the Iran-Contra affair, which will forever be linked to his name in a negative way. In the United States, Reagan succeeded in improving society, notably by reducing the use of illegal drugs. Ronald Reagan is often cited as the best president the United States has ever had, due to his relentless attacks on communism and illegal drug use in America, even with his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair. Ronald Reagan enjoyed enormous success in his quest. end communism worldwide and stop the "evil empire" he believed to be the Soviet Union (General Article: Reagan Quotes). Ronald Reagan was able to end communism in many ways. To begin, in 1982 he issued Secret National Security Directives (NSDD) that would neutralize Soviet influence and control over the world (Edwards). It was another way to stop communism and even attack it. Even more effective, Reagan instituted his famous Strategic Defense Initiative to end the Cold War, but also to curb the influence of communism (Edwards). He firmly believed that these defensive missiles would succeed in "making nuclear missiles obsolete" (D'Souza). Reagan's SDI was not...... middle of paper...... A reference resource. " Miller Center. University of Virginia. Web. May 15, 2014. "Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988." US Legal Definitions. US Web. May 17, 2014. "Federal Drug-Free Workplace." US Customs and border protection. “Foreign Policy Gone Wrong” Web May 16, 2014. “Reagan Quotes Web May 16, 2014. “The Iran-Contra Affair.”" . 2014. .