Most of these thinkers and politicians had begun as Democrats, and many remained so. But some did shift allegiance. They brought to their new home some valuable new insights and habits, which are as desperately needed by the GOP today as in 1970.
First: They were practical. These neoconservatives persuaded Republicans like Jack Kemp and Ronald Reagan toaccept Social Security and Medicare. Now some conservative icons are denouncing the Federal Reserve (created in 1913!) as an unacceptable innovation. This is the route to the museum, not to government…
The original neoconservatives felt a deep optimism about the United States. They despised alienated radicals who flung epithets like “fascist” at U.S. institutions and leaders. Now similarly angry talk is being heard from an alienated right. In 1967, Ronald Reagan signed a law forbidding the carrying of loaded guns in public. Today guns are again reappearing at political rallies—and this time there is no Reagan to say no.
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