The Sacramento Bee noted this week that Ronald Reagan, "who spent his political career lambasting big government and bureaucratic 'puzzle palaces on the Potomac,' is about to be commemorated by the largest and most elaborate federal office complex built in Washington in half a century."
The new "Ronald Reagan Building" is a $738 million "granite and glass colossus erected on a site the size of 10 football fields ... and will house 5,000 to 7,000 federal workers," the paper reported. It "has evoked criticism from Reagan loyalists who argue that it conflicts with the political and personal philosophy of the ex-president."
Ex-Reagan aide Lyn Nofziger: "That building stands for everything Ronald Reagan was opposed to." Another ex-Reagan aide, Michael Deaver, "suggested that the former president would be 'embarrassed' to be commemorated by such a huge government structure."
The "criticism, however, apparently doesn't extend to the Reagan family," according to the paper. Reagan administration attorney general Edwin Meese: "He didn't think about memorials. But it is appropriate that a major building be named for him, and the family is pleased." Reagan chief of staff Joanne Drake: "Throughout history this country has named buildings for prominent Americans. President and Mrs. Reagan are honored that this building in the heart of the nation's capital was chosen to bear his name"
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