Posted on 02/11/2010 10:46:32 AM PST by The Right Way 1776
So I was thinking recently about the RINOs infesting the GOP and it hit me that -despite being one of the greatest presidents in the 20th century- there are certain elements during Reagan's terms that might make him a RINO.
Make no mistake though, these are just that: ELEMENTS, the majority of his accomplishments were grand.
Illegal Mexican Immigrants
One of Reagan's downfalls was not clamping down on illegal immigration. It's exemplified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act which gave Amnesty for illegals instead of trying to deport them. The act also followed on the leftist premise of a "pathway towards legalization" for certain illegals.
States' rights
One of the unfortunate results of the liberals in congress was the passage of the federal minimum drinking age, which effectively destroyed any notion of States' rights. Instead of vetoing the legislation, Reagan took it upon himself to vote FOR it.
Market protectionism
Despite freeing buisness from the grip of Carter's disaster liberalism (aka Keyensianism) there are certain protectionist measures Reagan took that go against any kind of notion of free market responsibility.
In 1981 the White house put a "voluntary" export restraint on Japanese cars, limiting the number that could be imported into America. Other then distorting the free market, it rewarded the Big three car companies for not being competitive enough and essentially acted like a bailout.
Conclusions
Nothing compares to the wonders Reagan achieved during his presidency but we have to be vigilant on some of the bad spots too.
In all if we let one of our best presidents get away with bad policies we'll be blindsided when the next conservative president comes in.
He certainly made deals and was pragmatic about it. He had no choice thanks to Tip O'Neil. That alone would draw the ire of many today who believe that anyone who compromises is a RINO.
The arm-twisting of states - especially Louisiana - about the minimum drinking age really irked me back then - long past the time where I turned "legal", and it still irks me today. The age that a state allows someone to drink liquor is none of the business of the imperial federal government
That oldies and goodies picture LOL!
Monk get on ping 7
Was he a Rino? ...........NO!
Was he a single issue nutcase? >>>>>>Absolutely NOT!
Did he make everyone happy all the time?......Certainly not!
Throughout his presidency he pissed of one constituency or another for the explicit purposes of governing the country well, but he always retained his conservatism in spite of appearances at times. GW Bush governed in much the same way as he tried to emulate Reagan when he could, but he did not have that special sauce that Reagan had.
I have often grappled with Conservatives on this site who often quote Reagan as if he was the quintessential conservative and never gave in to liberals. That idea is nice but it is not true. Reagan, or any good governor or president is the president of all, not just some, and reality tends to conflict with any ideology. It's how you handle that conflict that determines you ability to govern effectively.
Reagan was very effective compared to many modern day presidents, as was GWB. They both did it in a way that history will reflect as successful, and neither was, is, or ever will be considered a RINO. But criticisms of how they did one thing or another will always exist. It was the price they paid for effectiveness and it was done in the best interests of the entire country. He did it his way.
Out, out, damned zot!
“He certainly made deals and was pragmatic about it. He had no choice thanks to Tip O’Neil. That alone would draw the ire of many today who believe that anyone who compromises is a RINO.
The arm-twisting of states - especially Louisiana - about the minimum drinking age really irked me back then - long past the time where I turned “legal”, and it still irks me today. The age that a state allows someone to drink liquor is none of the business of the imperial federal government”
I agree. The passing of time often removes a bit of reality to our memories. Back then, and even now, Reagan would/should have been considered a RINO. And yet we honor the man and sure wish we could bring him back as our president once again.
Who pray tell Ron Paul Troll would be conservative enough? Never mind, I think I figured it out.
I smell Ron Paul infiltrator troll scent...
That’s right, Reagan was a RINO!!!!
The only true Republican was Abraham Lincoln. All “Republicans’ since him have been RINOs.
(I’m a RINO, you’re a RINO, everyone’s a RINO [except the progressive, liberal comunist democrats])
RINO wars!
As a conservative and Californian, I was thrilled to see Reagan elected, for him to push tax reductions, and push tough smart foreign policy.
I was, and remain, very pissed off about amnesty, preventing me from seeing him through the rose colored glasses.
Remember back in the eighties when Kerry came back from Nicaragua with his little hearings and such?
Fat Ted and the Demos just let Lurch hang in the wind. The deal was 'in'.
LLS
This is actually a good point, and in all cases I wasn’t trolling just food for thought.
“Reagan had to sign the Amnesty to get Ted Kennedy and the rest of the liberals on board to support some of the “off the books fund raising”.”
Thanks. I feel so much better experiencing these past 22 years of illegal immigration, since Reagan. not
Obviously it was all worth it, since Ted “handled” Reagan so easily. not
But I’ll stick to my version, and stay pissed.
IBTZ!
Hooah
ibtz
ZOT!
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