The end of the Reagan era?
There are untold numbers of Hispanics and also blacks who plainly are not liberal, who are especially conservative on social and religious issues, but who vote Democrat reflexively. They’re not alone. There are countless old, traditional Roman Catholics (a demographic I know very well) who do the same.
So, what does all of this mean, particularly as applied to the Reagan era?
It means that a self-described conservative, Reagan-loving electorate has twice voted for a hardcore leftist, Barack Obama, to, in effect, end the Reagan era. That wasn’t the intent, but that’s the result.
Thus, it also means — and this would shock Ronald Reagan — that we conservatives really cannot trust the American public. Reagan, of course, insisted just the opposite; he was the quintessential optimist, with an unflagging faith in the American people. He had the greatest confidence in his fellow Americans.
The deeper truth, however, is that the American voter cannot be trusted; the American voter cannot be depended upon to vote rationally.
Blowback
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Can a distinct minority, say 25 percent, rule a democracy with an iron fist. Well, yes. Money and power amplified by a monolithic and propagandist press will do the trick. Rs must declare war on the press and tell the truth. Reagan talked over the press to the people. Barry relies on the press to spread his msg (and enforce the no snitch rules).
Rs are terrified of the press. Witness one hapless (and rather dumb) Todd Akin. He was eviscerated by the press…and every R fears that. Not only from an electoral view, but a respectability view. That’s the fear that the left trades on…they feel they can destroy anyone they chose, so better comply.
Rs can have all the retreats they want, but until they see themselves as brave soldiers ready to sacrifice and with others lined up behind them, they will lose
r keller on January 21, 2013 at 10:46 PM
I hate to defend today’s GOP politicians, but you cannot compare the media in 1980 to now. They’ve always been corrupt, but they’ve become outright propagandists for the Democrat party. I don’t know how we overcome this unless guys like Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn start buying up networks.
crrr6 on January 21, 2013 at 10:53 PM
yes the “right” bastards who joined in were “helpful”.
newrouter on January 21, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Guess we’ll need a philosopher-king to save us. Who’s gonna volunteer?
thebrokenrattle on January 21, 2013 at 10:59 PM
I don’t think so. There has been a shift leftward in the last couple of elections but the results have been disastrous for everyone. the left has produced policies that have failed and are leading to economic ruin, less freedom, and less hope for the future. The Reagan revolution led to 25 years of economic growth unprecedented in the history of the world that created wealth at all class levels and gave Americans great hope. These things go in cycles and people will tire of poverty and demand a return to economic policies that work. History will not be kind to Obama while Reagan’s legacy shines brighter everyday, especially with the contrast we have now.
Ellis on January 21, 2013 at 11:04 PM
Catastrophic National Bankruptcy and the collapse of the entitlement state will be a calamitous kind of smelling salts for the delusional majority.
And may be be fatal to the nation by that point.
Since 20 million new illegals will have been glibly naturalized and Machiavellianly slipped into the pocket of the political class of nation-wreckers.
The end of America… and not just an “era”… is at hand.
Thanks to the magical thinking of the majority.
profitsbeard on January 21, 2013 at 11:06 PM
ok, i get your snark, but still that kinda proves my point. Rs are terrified of the press…aside from Huck and Newt there wasn’t anyone.
but let’s be fair, what akin said was dumb…(the point about the tubes, or whatever). He was over his head. And i think i’m right, every R fears the press…George Allen and many others.
They live in terror that some word or phrase they use (think Trent Lott) can be used to destroy them.
that really doesn’t happen to Ds very often
r keller on January 21, 2013 at 11:10 PM
You can declare eras and epochs all you like, but the fiscal math still doesn’t add up.
On the contrary, the American voter always votes rationally, in the short term. Obama handed out more free stuff.
But again, in the long term, the math doesn’t add up.
HitNRun on January 21, 2013 at 11:22 PM
The Reagan era ended with George HW Bush.
And politicians can’t be trusted to hold fair elections.
The Rogue Tomato on January 21, 2013 at 11:39 PM
especially rape-rape: see the “view”
newrouter on January 21, 2013 at 11:48 PM
Can a distinct minority do the trick. Reagan talked to the people. Barry BAMSTAHHHHHHH!!!!! YOU DA MANNNNNNNNNNN BAMMMMMMMY BABYYYY!!! LOVE YA BARRY OL BUDDY OL PALLLLLLL!!!!!! YAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
r k21, 2013 at 10:46 PM
cableguy615 on January 22, 2013 at 6:19 AM
True but, they also want to be liked and invited on the talk shows and to the parties so in my opinion it isn’t all about being afraid of the media.
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 22, 2013 at 8:51 AM