Margaret Thatcher dies at 87

[Torie]

I feel so old watching the characters inhabiting my life fall away. She made a difference, and almost by her sheer force of will, and self discipline, helped to close Britain's standard of living gap vis a vis the Continent (and it was a substantial gap), and change public opinion about public policy.  Few politicians can claim to have done something like that, or even approaching that. Then she allowed her hubris bring her down. RIP.

[Torie]

I might note that many of Maggie's opponents acknowledge in hindsight that at the time she was the right antidote for what ailed the Isles, and infused Britain with the spirit of enterprise it so desperately needed (and the British upper class so disdained - to her disgust). I might further note that many Pubs say the same thing about FDR in hindsight. He was the right man, in the right place, for the times.