Yes, Reagan was great, but it's time to move on

Chicago Sun Times ^ | Feb 11, 2004 | George Will

[PhiKapMom]

In this winter of their discontents, nostalgia for Ronald Reagan has become for many conservatives a substitute for thinking. This mental paralysis -- gratitude decaying into idolatry -- is sterile: Neither the man nor his moment will recur. Conservatives should face the fact that Reaganism cannot define conservatism.

[My2Cents]

It no longer matters what conservative values are offered to adults. When young minds are filled with liberal propaganda oatmeal, the possibility that they will understand the choices later on, are much much less.

I completely agree with you. Well-said. Which is why we home-schooled our three children. I know that not every family can homeschool their kids, but considering the tripe kids get in the public schools, parents need to be counteracting that at home.

[johnny7]

LOL! Will was probably snapping the suspenders on his checkered pants when he wrote this.

[ozzymandus]

George isn't conservative enough to qualify as a RINO.

[PhiKapMom]

Dr. Coburn from OK is fighting the good fight on limiting spending but only 11 other Senators join him consistently including our other Senator Jim Inhofe.

Here in OK, the State Legislature cannot spend money fast enough. I am now going to look at candidates who declare to be fiscal conservatives first because I want smaller government and more of my tax dollars returned to me.

[My2Cents]

Consequently, those whose principles will not allow them to vote for Rudy (or McCain, or Romney -- the three frontrunners), but whose principles WILL allow them to sit idly by and let the Clintons back into the White House are worse than useless.

[EternalVigilance]

Nope.

These are not the droids you're looking for...

[Marine Inspector]

Sorry, your camp is the left.

[EGPWS]

Conservatives should face the fact that Reaganism cannot define conservatism.

We need to "moveon.org".....

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I am afraid your logical insight is way beyond their capability of understanding.

I firmly see it that way myself, almost word for word. But the clear message gets lost in all the false, pragmatist rhetoric.

[Tarpon]

I like Newt, but am not sure he can do it -- He needs to prove he can lead. We'll see.

[gleeaikin]

"It took two Bushes to fully dismantle conservatism."

Since I am worried about the tremendous debt that my children and grandchildren will be burdened with. I am especially concerned with the profligate spending of both Presidents Reagan and Bush II. Although Bush I caught h... for not keeping his promise of no new taxes, he had the good sense to realize that the tremendous run up in the national debt under Reagan had to be rectified. Unfortunately, his son has moved in the opposite direction. I find the lack of discipline in the Iraq spending especially disquieting, especially as my son my be sent there soon, following his recent 8 months in Afghanistan.

It really seems all these billions have been poured down a rathole for all the good they have done. I understand that dollar by dollar accounting was not possible under the circumstances, but surely they could have assigned so many pounds of $100 bills to specific officals and agencies. I understand some former officials have fled to Europe with lots of money. Will we make any effort to get any of that (our) money back? What does Bush have the Justice Dept. doing about this?

[Sam Cree]

My understanding of Reagan is that he was, like our founding fathers, a firm believer in individual freedom and limited government. To the extent that that is true, we have certainly moved on, since modern Republicans no longer seem to advocate limited government, or even individual freedom.

"The true conservatives, the founders,'' Diggins rightly says, constructed a government full of blocking mechanisms -- separations of powers, a bicameral legislature and other checks and balances -- in order ''to check the demands of the people.'' Madison's Constitution responds to the problem of human nature. ''Reagan,'' says Diggins, ''let human nature off the hook."

Nice little paraphrase of the founders' intent, and one I agree with. However, I believe Reagan probably also agreed with it.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Speak for yourself. You have no clue who I am or where I come from. "Assumptions are lessor of truth."

[EternalVigilance]

I'm not a Newt fan.

[edsheppa]

Interesting? Well perhaps in some sense, as it illuminates the attitudes of Will et al. But it is certainly not insightful about Reagan. To focus on Reagan's mixed domestic policy achievements is to completely miss the point. What made Reagan great is that he almost singlehandedly changed the political trajectory of the country. For example, in the short space of eight years we went from needing to lose our inordinate fear of communism to calling upon Gorbachev to tear down that wall which call was heeded very soon.

[Marine Inspector]

Your pushing a liberal candidate for President; that's all I need to know about you.

[Tarpon]

Why not?

[PhiKapMom]

Guess you can put me in the pragmatic column! I want to win elections just like football games and moral victories don't count!

[EternalVigilance]

But the clear message gets lost in all the false, pragmatist rhetoric.

You really can't see the irony in those words coming out of your camp, can you.

[capitalist229]

I disagree that Hillary is a shoo-in.

All we need is one major terrorist attack.

That would make GW king for life.

BUMP