IndependntLogic
Senior Member
- Jul 14, 2011
- 2,997
- 399
- 48
When I cast my first presidential vote (for Reagan), being "Conservative" sure seemed different than it does today.
Reagan summed up being a Conservative pretty well: Less government, Less spending and strong Defense. But none of this was set in stone or nearly as extreme as it is packaged and sold, nowadays.
Reagan never wanted to do away with the EPA, USDA or CIA (oops, okay my Contra-Gate is showing but stilll). So Reagan saw a LOT of waste but stayed within what seemed to be reasonable bound to me. Danm Liberal!
He didn't impose and increase government on social issues. Hell, he was a Hollywood actor. Danm Liberal.
Less spending. Okay. Sounds good. But in order to balance the budget, he raised taxes on the rich a few times. Danm Liberal!
Strong Defense. Not offense. Defense. No Libya, Africa OR Iraq. Defense. Danm Liberal.
Reagan was a Liberal. By todays' standards. Frankly, I don't even know what "Conservative" means nowadays.
There seem to be the religious types like Michele Whackman or Rick Perry who want a great Big Government telling everyone who can get married, join the military, overturn Roe v. Wade and so on. WTF? Really?
Then there seems to be the Libertarians who believe that all those nice corporations will regulate themselves (like say, Wall Street), treat minorities, women and everyone else fairly, take good care of their employees etc... if we just leave them alone. They also seem to believe "The Magic Market" will prevent corporations from releasing dangerous products, destroying the environment and stop contaminated food from ever harming us. Oh, and we should all be able to take AK-47's to work. WTF? Really?
Seriously, I don't know what Conservatism is anymore. Other than "Extreme".
Reagan summed up being a Conservative pretty well: Less government, Less spending and strong Defense. But none of this was set in stone or nearly as extreme as it is packaged and sold, nowadays.
Reagan never wanted to do away with the EPA, USDA or CIA (oops, okay my Contra-Gate is showing but stilll). So Reagan saw a LOT of waste but stayed within what seemed to be reasonable bound to me. Danm Liberal!
He didn't impose and increase government on social issues. Hell, he was a Hollywood actor. Danm Liberal.
Less spending. Okay. Sounds good. But in order to balance the budget, he raised taxes on the rich a few times. Danm Liberal!
Strong Defense. Not offense. Defense. No Libya, Africa OR Iraq. Defense. Danm Liberal.
Reagan was a Liberal. By todays' standards. Frankly, I don't even know what "Conservative" means nowadays.
There seem to be the religious types like Michele Whackman or Rick Perry who want a great Big Government telling everyone who can get married, join the military, overturn Roe v. Wade and so on. WTF? Really?
Then there seems to be the Libertarians who believe that all those nice corporations will regulate themselves (like say, Wall Street), treat minorities, women and everyone else fairly, take good care of their employees etc... if we just leave them alone. They also seem to believe "The Magic Market" will prevent corporations from releasing dangerous products, destroying the environment and stop contaminated food from ever harming us. Oh, and we should all be able to take AK-47's to work. WTF? Really?
Seriously, I don't know what Conservatism is anymore. Other than "Extreme".