Whither the Conservative Movement pg. 7
economics (Reagan, 1961, quote II.A.3, II.A.5; Reagan, 1965, II.B.2). The combination of the three created an ideology that saw a sort of inversion where people worked for the government, and not the other way around (Reagan, 1961, quote II.A.4; Reagan, 1965, quote II.B.1).
This was a message in search of a problem. The early 1970s had potential for being the right time due to economic problems resulting from the AOPEC oil embargo. However, Reagan proved unable to beat the incumbent Ford for the Republican Presidential nomination in 1976 and the general election saw Jimmy Carter take back the White House for the Democratic Party. Continued economic gloom, couple with international relations defeats for the Carter Administration, made 1980 the perfect time for Reagan’s brand of optimism, strong patriotism, and economic conservatism.
Reagan separated himself from Goldwater’s brand of conservatism by calling for simultaneous cuts in spending and tax rates (Reagan, 1980, quote II.C.1, II.C.2). Only through that combination of action could the deficit be addressed (Reagan, 1985a, quote II.G.2). Every major address highlighted this tax ideology (Regan, 1981, quote II.D.1, II.D.2; Reagan, 1982, II.E.1; Reagan, 1986, II.J.1; Reagan, 1988, II.L.1). He also adapted his ongoing message to deal with the high inflation rates as well (Reagan, 1980, quote II.C.3). This provided a complete ideological package to push through his economic agenda.
It is important to remember that Reagan, like Goldwater, went out of his way to ensure that his ideology was not seen as being totally anti-tax. In fact, he even considered paying taxes to be a heroic act (Reagan, 1985a, quote II.G.1). What he opposed was excessive taxes (Reagan, 1984, quote II.F.1, II.F.2). Excessive taxes were a
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This was a message in search of a problem. The early 1970s had potential for being the right time due to economic problems resulting from the AOPEC oil embargo. However, Reagan proved unable to beat the incumbent Ford for the Republican Presidential nomination in 1976 and the general election saw Jimmy Carter take back the White House for the Democratic Party. Continued economic gloom, couple with international relations defeats for the Carter Administration, made 1980 the perfect time for Reagan’s brand of optimism, strong patriotism, and economic conservatism.
Reagan separated himself from Goldwater’s brand of conservatism by calling for simultaneous cuts in spending and tax rates (Reagan, 1980, quote II.C.1, II.C.2). Only through that combination of action could the deficit be addressed (Reagan, 1985a, quote II.G.2). Every major address highlighted this tax ideology (Regan, 1981, quote II.D.1, II.D.2; Reagan, 1982, II.E.1; Reagan, 1986, II.J.1; Reagan, 1988, II.L.1). He also adapted his ongoing message to deal with the high inflation rates as well (Reagan, 1980, quote II.C.3). This provided a complete ideological package to push through his economic agenda.
It is important to remember that Reagan, like Goldwater, went out of his way to ensure that his ideology was not seen as being totally anti-tax. In fact, he even considered paying taxes to be a heroic act (Reagan, 1985a, quote II.G.1). What he opposed was excessive taxes (Reagan, 1984, quote II.F.1, II.F.2). Excessive taxes were a
Go on to page 8
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