Robert Parry: The Dangerous Reagan Cult

[marmar]

from Consortium News:



The Dangerous Reagan Cult
August 16, 2011

Exclusive: Ronald Reagan’s anti-government philosophy inspires Tea Party extremists to oppose any revenue increase, even from closing loopholes on corporate jets. Democrats try the spin that “even Reagan” showed flexibility on debt and taxes. But Robert Parry says it is the “Reagan cult” that is at the heart of America’s crisis.

By Robert Parry


In the debt-ceiling debate, both Republicans and Democrats wanted Ronald Reagan on their side. Republicans embraced the 40th president’s disdain for government and fondness for tax cuts, while Democrats noted that “even Reagan” raised the debt limit many times and accepted some tax increases.

But Reagan – possibly more than any political leader – deserves the blame for the economic/political mess that the United States now finds itself in. He was the patriarch for virtually every major miscalculation that the country has made over the past three decades.

It was Reagan who slashed taxes on the rich to roughly their current level; he opened the flood gates on deficit spending; he accelerated the decline of the middle class by busting unions and slashing support for local communities; he disparaged the value of government regulations; he squandered money on the Pentagon; he pushed more militaristic strategies abroad; and he rejected any thoughtful criticism of past U.S. foreign policies.

Reagan also created what amounted to a “populist” right-wing cult that targeted the federal government as the source of nearly all evil. In his First Inaugural Address, he famously declared that “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2011/08/16/the-dangerous-reagan-cult/

[abq e streeter]

1. Couldn't even read the whole thing...I get too angry at the "Reagan Cult"

and the enormous destructiveness of it, both then, and maybe more now, that once again, was enabled by a pathetic lap dog MSM and an equally pathetic and gutless Democratic Party 'leadership". We will be paying a steep price for that spinelessness and allowing that myth to fester and take root, for as far into the future as I can gaze.
One point I very much disagree with though: Those were as opposite of "miscalculations" as can be. Reagan's puppet-masters knew EXACTLY what they were doing, and not only did it work to their advantage, but probably to a degree beyond their wildest dreams as far as how many people fell for it hook line and sinker , and continue to buy into the mind-set and policies that are destroying so many who worship him, and enriching those who set it all up and continue to exploit the myth.

[Donnachaidh]

2. love this --

"But Reagan – possibly more than any political leader – deserves the blame for the economic/political mess that the United States now finds itself in. He was the patriarch for virtually every major miscalculation that the country has made over the past three decades."

SING IT Brother Parry!

[Tesha]

3. How can this have sunk after only two replies? Let's let another crowd see it! (NT)