Great article. It was Nancy Reagan who put the spotlight on this battle when George H. W. Bush accepted the nomination and began talking about “a kinder and gentler America.” “Kinder and gentler than who?” was her retort.
Mr. Lord points to the perfect symbol: the Department of Education. Reagan wanted to get rid of it (because nothing of value has ever come out of it and it has never had a positive impact on the mission of Education in America) and it has become this behemoth that takes more and more resources for ever worse outcomes. And don’t stop with just eliminating the DOE... let’s continue with at least shrinking (if not eliminating) Commerce, EPA, HHS.
The problem with the GOPe is that it has been in control of the party forever, and has “compromised” us to the point that the president is able to act as a dictator with very little complaint from Democrat -lite. I no longer call myself a Republican, either. We conservatives either have to take the party over or become a strong third party. I believe that may be doable at this point.