Two Words: Flip. Flop.
The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. — Ronald Reagan
Perhaps it was his training and long career as an actor, or maybe it was just a part of who he was. Ronald Reagan had a tremendous sense of humor that he expertly wielded to entertain all, and at times to simplify explanations of complex concepts. He also used humor to defuse or distract those not politically loyal to him or his party objectives.
Reading an isolated quote, like the one above, without knowing the context, it can be difficult to know if he was being funny or serious, poking criticism or explaining his philosophy. Whether intentional or irresponsible, Reagan’s words became the credo for the Republican party and their administrations to follow. Under Bush II this fiscal policy has reached full fruition as Republicans have become the greedy, irresponsible, spend-happy party in charge of our checkbooks. Their accomplishments far surpass those of the Democrats they critized for similar activities so many years ago.
Some of the current crop of Republican Presidential hopefuls would also have us believe that the Democrats are still the ones responsible for draining the treasury and mounting the debt. Those Republicans must think the American people are terribly naive and stupid. And maybe en masse we are. Look at the fools that American voters have put in Washington the last 8 years. Surely to God we can do better than that!
12 Comments so far
For 8 years I have been most concerned over who we are as a people and once again an election is going to tell us. That’s what is scary
I’d rather have a president that was more concerned with my well being than if I was laughing or not..I can find my own humor …bush makes me cry he’s so funny..
I’m holding so much faith in this next election. I don’t know if that makes me stupid or naive; but I think I have a lot of company. I can’t think of one positive to take from these past 8 years…and not one real moment of humor. What the hell did we have to laugh about?
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I never understood the definition of “greedy”. Can you define it for me please?
The politicians of this country have moved to the left over the past several years. John Kennedy was way more conservative than W.
The Republican party has taken the Dems place as the party of the working man with a new program for nearly everyone.
And the Dems have become the socialist party for the welfare recipient with a handout for everyone.
Well… nobody answered.
http://www.dictionary.com defines “greedy” as?
–adjective, greed•i•er, greed•i•est.
1. excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious: the greedy owners of the company.
So what is excessive desire for wealth? What is excessive? And most important who is to decide what is excessive?
The government?
The Pope?
Who?????
BTW, Exxon’s profit margin is 10% which is much lower than most banding companies and pharmaceuticals companies. In fact it is lower than the average company here in this country.
Most people don’t know that.
Just something for Ya’ll to think about. Winston started it.
One hopes. One desperately hopes.
The GOP always accuses the Dems of being “tax and spend” liberals (when they are not accusing them of being unpatriotic).
Well, the GOP are the party of “don’t tax but spend anyway.” Isn’t it strange that while the mortgage/debt bubble was growing, so was/is the national debt.
I may be simple, but somebody’s gotta pay sometime.
Was Reagan a good president? How could a Hollywood actor become the most powerful man on earth? Was he smarter tan I gave him credit for?
Liz: There are those who think Reagan was the best President ever. Many of those also think Bush is doing a good job! I am not one of those. Reagan destroyed and set back so much of what had been accomplished in civil rights over the 20 or 30 years prior to his ascendancy. He was an actor, a bozo, a clown, that had so much personal charisma that he got himself elected Governor of California. That became his springboard to the Presidency. He was talented in many ways, very bright in many ways. He qualified for head of state only by his articulate charm and charisma and grace.
Thanks for the email, winston. You might think about writing a longer post about Reagan just for the non-US citizens like me who are simply puzzled by him.
My knowledge of US politics is mostly garnered from West Wing. In that the President was intelligent but still it amazed me that so many decisions appeared to come down to just one man in the end. That was sort of scary.
Hi Winston.
I don’t have a say, but I said it here in pictures.
http://keeskennis.blogspot.com/2008/01/three-types.html