To be able to shoot down communist missles.
SDI made people think of Star Wars. It was not really what inspired Reagan to promote the plan.
The name of President Ronald Reagan's plan to increase the strength of the U.S. Military was "Star Wars". It is also the name of the popular movie franchise.
The Iran-contra scandal
The primary proponent of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also derisively known as Star Wars, was Ronald Reagan.
SDI, the "Strategic Defense Initiative," was the brainchild of Ronald Reagan. The liberal press of the day ridiculed the idea, labeling it "Star Wars."
Increasing defense spending
He was an actor, then governor of California, then the 40th president of the U.S.
His middle name was Wilson.
From the State's website: California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers. The SDI programs are State-mandated, and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers. Workers covered by SDI are covered by two programs: Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave Insurance.
Supply-side economics
To develop a defense system that would keep Americans safe from missiles.
SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)