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The magnitude of Goldwater's loss was directly responsible for the Voting Rights Act, the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act (in effect, the EPA), Medicare, Medicaid, and the Immigration Reform Act of 1965.

The Reagan interruption ultimately did nothing to reverse the destruction of our society caused by those pieces of legislation passed by the most radical Congress in history.

So, yes, Goldwater's defeat did make Reagan possible.

So what?

The Reagan interruption ultimately did nothing to reverse the destruction of our society caused by those pieces of legislation passed by the most radical Congress in history.

Is this where he get to unleash our attacks on Reagan for his appointments of GHWB, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Anthony Kennedy. Reagan named people who would undo his own agenda.

Goldwater's defeat resulted from a number of things; the magnitude of that defeat, clearly, played into the hands of the Left--and, as you indicate, Reagan was not really able to reverse the Leftward trend. But that Leftward trend--almost uninterrupted--has been in motion for the past century. You have to look at a great many facets to really appreciate the tragedy involved.

For a summary take on the unfolding disaster: Losing America's Multi-Generational Purpose.

Pat's column, here, is thought provoking. It is intended to encourage reflection. You ask "so what," as to Goldwater's role? It goes to encouraging a long-term perspective. The battle in America is now 237 years old, and for much of that period, we have been losing our focus.

We must regain our focus, or we are lost.

William Flax