I'm watching Reagan's inaugural speech in 1981 now. He's talking about intending to lessen the power of the Federal government e.g. 8:58 minutes in:
Did he lessen the "intervention and intrusion into our lives" as he put it of the Federal government? Did he limit the "unnecessary and excessive growth of government"?
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI've brought up the silly doomsday predictions a number of times myself. But when did he have the chance to abolish it?
No. Reagan was a coward. When Medicare was introduced, doomsday predictions galore. But when he had the chance to abolish it, he didn't, even though it would've made government smaller by quite a large chunk.
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Reagan had no political chance to abolish Medicare and his administration knew it. His goal was welfare reform, which he had some measure of success with.
But government size is government size, and if you reduce domestic department size while massively ramping up the military then you're only reduction in government is in your own shrill hypoberlic mind.
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Originally posted by BadwaterReagan presided over the largest military buildup in history. He consistently asked for and spent more money than even a Democratic congress would approve. The only change he made was to weaken the people's ability to protect themselves from thieves and confidence-men.
Reagan had no political chance to abolish Medicare and his administration knew it. His goal was welfare reform, which he had some measure of success with.
But government size is government size, and if you reduce domestic department size while massively ramping up the military then you're only reduction in government is in your own shrill hypoberlic mind.
I've been waiting for the GOP to control the presidency, and both houses of Congress -- where the president actually believes in trying to make the government smaller.
I'd love to see the look on the GOP congressmen's faces at the State of the Union Address when this president makes his proposal that includes a bold plan to reduce annual spending on Medicare, Social Security, and Defense by at least 10-15% apiece.
Originally posted by TerrierJackTo be fair, he does state in his inaugural address that he intends to keep the military strong and that we will act if need be in the interests of our national security.
Reagan presided over the largest military buildup in history. He consistently asked for and spent more money than even a Democratic congress would approve. The only change he made was to weaken the people's ability to protect themselves from thieves and confidence-men.