The difference as I see it, is that Bush learned from the reality of Reagan's failure and is doing things a different way.
Reagan's view was good, but it didn't work. Bush wants results, so it makes sense that he wouldn't try something that had already been proven impossible.
Example.......education. Get rid of the education department (that's what we all wanted)........did Reagan do it? Did Reagan accomplish anything conservative in education?
Now look at the Bush education bill. In it are accountability and education reforms (which is why the NEA hates the bill and hates Bush).
Under Bush, the spender, education is getting more conservative. Under Reagan, the government shrinker, it got more liberal.
"But Reagan failed at accomplishing his goal, RF. He didn't shrink government..........he just talked about doing it."
Yes, I agree. Government did not shrink under Reagan by any meaningful measure.
I will state in his favor that the prosperity brought on by Reagans domestic economic policy is partly to blame for this lack of success in shrinking government, but I concede your point.