50 Years since the Time of Choosing

[Republic of Coldwater]

It has been 50 years since Ronald Reagan's "The Time of Choosing" speech in favor of Barry Goldwater's Presidency. This speech was a pivotal point in American Political History in which it kick-started American Conservatism and Reagan's Political Career.

50 Years since the speech, we have seen an Age of Conservatism in the 1980s, and the legacy of Free Markets overarching until the early 2000s, Keynesianism has died down (until 2008) and a form of NeoLiberalism has take over.

For better or for worse, this memorable point in history that should be remembered as a new age of Conservatism in America

So NSG, how do you feel about this speech, Reagan, Goldwater and American Conservatism as a whole?

[Svatantra Mulukama]

The Age of Conservatism has ultimately had by hugely negative impact on America. From financial deregulation which served as a catalyst for the recession, to the national debt nearly quadrupling under Reagan, the age of conservatism has been responsible for a massive growth in inequality, union busting, and a working class that dug themselves so deep into debt just to keep up with the growing economy. The economy grew, but wages stagnated.

And, both Reagan and Goldwater were horrible, and have a rotten, bitter legacy.

[Valica]

Conservatism is bullshit.

American conservatives are a joke these days.
Their social policies are awful and their economics are almost as bad.

"Deport all the immigrants!"
You mean those people that hold up our economy for less than minimum wage?
Yeah, good idea.

"Less regulation on businesses!"
Ooh, another good one.
Let's give businesses more freedom to abuse workers and create products that kill us.
How about we let them discriminate based on race, sexuality, etc. too?
I'm sure the Libertarians would like that one.

Not to mention the fact that American conservatives are overwhelmingly religious. Specifically Christian.
We don't need a religious group controlling our country.
That doesn't represent Americans as a whole. That's not America.

Conservatives are losing support rapidly because the new generation is more liberal.
Soon we won't have a conservative party. It'll be between liberals and socialists.
Which will hopefully fix the social bullshit America deals with.

Free healthcare and education would help this country quite a lot.

[Risottia]

The Age of Conservatism has ultimately had by hugely negative impact on America. From financial deregulation which served as a catalyst for the recession, to the national debt nearly quadrupling under Reagan, the age of conservatism has been responsible for a massive growth in inequality, union busting, and a working class that dug themselves so deep into debt just to keep up with the growing economy. The economy grew, but wages stagnated.
And, both Reagan and Goldwater were horrible, and have a rotten, bitter legacy.

Basically this.
Eisenhower is rolling in his grave, seeing what has become of the US Republicans.

[Central Slavia]

Conservatism is bullshit.

American conservatives are a joke these days.
Their social policies are awful and their economics are almost as bad.

"Deport all the immigrants!"
You mean those people that hold up our economy for less than minimum wage?
Yeah, good idea.

This actually is a good idea precisely for the reason you state.
Illegal immigrants screw everyone else over by undercutting the labour market.

[Valcouria]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days. That is why all good conservatives must keep up the fight to keep America from falling sway to the socialists, communists, and foreign influences that threaten our way of life.

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

[Valica]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days. That is why all good conservatives must keep up the fight to keep America from falling sway to the socialists, communists, and foreign influences that threaten our way of life.

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

Left wing is the only thing keeping America afloat.
Thankfully the new generation of soon-to-be voters is extremely liberal compared to the last few.

[The Grim Reaper]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days.

I assume it hasn't changed much since those 'damn hippies' protested against the draft for the invasion of Vietnam.

I don't imagine they went to their graves expecting the left to become neocons overnight, at the very least.

Or do you mean those terrible things like feminism, and equal rights for all races, and universal healthcare?

[Ainin]

50 Years since the speech, we have seen an Age of Conservatism in the 1980s, and the legacy of Free Markets overarching until the early 2000s, Keynesianism has died down (until 2008) and a form of NeoLiberalism has take over.

Until it all came spectacularly crashing down in 2007.

[Kelinfort]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days. That is why all good conservatives must keep up the fight to keep America from falling sway to the socialists, communists, and foreign influences that threaten our way of life.

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

lol.

Someone didn't take political science as their major.

[Kelinfort]

It has been 50 years since Ronald Reagan's "The Time of Choosing" speech in favor of Barry Goldwater's Presidency. This speech was a pivotal point in American Political History in which it kick-started American Conservatism and Reagan's Political Career.

50 Years since the speech, we have seen an Age of Conservatism in the 1980s, and the legacy of Free Markets overarching until the early 2000s, Keynesianism has died down (until 2008) and a form of NeoLiberalism has take over.

For better or for worse, this memorable point in history that should be remembered as a new age of Conservatism in America

So NSG, how do you feel about this speech, Reagan, Goldwater and American Conservatism as a whole?

Regarding the conservative reaction to the Kenyesian consensus, several reasons this movement got off the ground in the first place was the stagflation of the 1970's and the reaction to the liberal Warren and Burger courts. Today, with the Great Recession, and a return to social liberalism, it appears the pendulum is swinging the other way. At least in terms of social issues. Economic issues still are primarily neoliberal, although with our recent correction, we may move closer to the economic centre.

The movement succeeded socially and economically, and continues to direct the political discourse today. It is why approval of same sex marriage was quite low until recently, why abortion is still largely stigmatised, why Christianity has not declined in influence, and why Kenyesian policies still meet large resistance.


Being an economic centrist, the neoliberal policies of Reagan were not terrible, but we're too centre right for my tastes. I despise their social policies, however.

[Bojikami]

The Age of Conservatism has ultimately had by hugely negative impact on America. From financial deregulation which served as a catalyst for the recession, to the national debt nearly quadrupling under Reagan, the age of conservatism has been responsible for a massive growth in inequality, union busting, and a working class that dug themselves so deep into debt just to keep up with the growing economy. The economy grew, but wages stagnated.

And, both Reagan and Goldwater were horrible, and have a rotten, bitter legacy.

This.

[MERIZoC]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days. That is why all good conservatives must keep up the fight to keep America from falling sway to the socialists, communists, and foreign influences that threaten our way of life.

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

Yeah. So many communists and socialists in American politics right now. It's great.

[New England and The Maritimes]

The REAL start to modern conservatism was 1992, as far as I'm concerned. Pat Robertson's disturbingly Hitler-esque speech about America's new Kulturkampf and the massively increased role of evangelicals is what defines the bloc today.

[Avenio]

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

A mummified corpse and a liberal? Sounds good to me.

[Republic of Coldwater]

Reagan and Goldwater...the pioneers of America's morality and decency. They would be rolling in their graves if they could see what the left wing is trying to accomplish these days. That is why all good conservatives must keep up the fight to keep America from falling sway to the socialists, communists, and foreign influences that threaten our way of life.

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

Left wing is the only thing keeping America afloat.
Thankfully the new generation of soon-to-be voters is extremely liberal compared to the last few.

Extremely Socially Liberal, Fiscally they tend to not care or prioritize.

[Valcouria]

I am enjoying the fact that the left-wingers here have such a utopian socialist and communist outlook on the USA, and are hoping for European-style socialism to take effect in the future. I think however that the current conservative movement will remain, and even be energized again, as the left continue to assault humanity's basic sense of decency as well as their wallets with their taxation to pay for the misfortunes of others.

[Republic of Coldwater]

The Age of Conservatism has ultimately had by hugely negative impact on America. From financial deregulation which served as a catalyst for the recession, to the national debt nearly quadrupling under Reagan, the age of conservatism has been responsible for a massive growth in inequality, union busting, and a working class that dug themselves so deep into debt just to keep up with the growing economy. The economy grew, but wages stagnated.

And, both Reagan and Goldwater were horrible, and have a rotten, bitter legacy.

Our National Debt: I agree, this age of Conservatism truly failed to deliver its promise of lowering and paying off the national debt. This is however, mainly due to an increase in government spending (note that the Reagan Tax cuts actually increased revenues)

Financial Deregulation: No it is financial regulation and fractional banking that created business cycles which in turn caused the economic crash of 08. Two decades of deregulation improved the economy, and if it wasn't for Central Banking, we wouldn't have the issues and extreme market volatility we see today.

Working Class: Their wages have been rising along with the upper class, the upper class just had a higher rate, therefore creating this sense of terrible conditions for the poor when in reality, the poor are better off than before.

[Republic of Coldwater]

Reagan/Goldwater 2016.

A mummified corpse and a liberal? Sounds good to me.

Or did he mean Barry Goldwater Jr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldwater,_Jr.

He isn't bad and wouldn't be a terrible Presidential Candidate.

[New England and The Maritimes]

I am enjoying the fact that the left-wingers here have such a utopian socialist and communist outlook on the USA, and are hoping for European-style socialism to take effect in the future. I think however that the current conservative movement will remain, and even be energized again, as the left continue to assault humanity's basic sense of decency as well as their wallets with their taxation to pay for the misfortunes of others.

Stop saying socialist like you know what the word means. Your borderline moronic ideas about economics are also pretty aggravating, as if money is 1. Finite and tied to anything, and 2. Ideally serves any purpose other than distributing resources, IE that it is some kind of marker of personal qualities or well-being, it's not.

[Kelinfort]

The Age of Conservatism has ultimately had by hugely negative impact on America. From financial deregulation which served as a catalyst for the recession, to the national debt nearly quadrupling under Reagan, the age of conservatism has been responsible for a massive growth in inequality, union busting, and a working class that dug themselves so deep into debt just to keep up with the growing economy. The economy grew, but wages stagnated.

And, both Reagan and Goldwater were horrible, and have a rotten, bitter legacy.

Our National Debt: I agree, this age of Conservatism truly failed to deliver its promise of lowering and paying off the national debt. This is however, mainly due to an increase in government spending (note that the Reagan Tax cuts actually increased revenues)

Financial Deregulation: No it is financial regulation and fractional banking that created business cycles which in turn caused the economic crash of 08. Two decades of deregulation improved the economy, and if it wasn't for Central Banking, we wouldn't have the issues and extreme market volatility we see today.

Working Class: Their wages have been rising along with the upper class, the upper class just had a higher rate, therefore creating this sense of terrible conditions for the poor when in reality, the poor are better off than before.

Financial deregulation was primarily the reason the Great Recession occurred, however, it was due to abdication of responsibility by regulators. St. Germain was not a bad piece of legislation, however, the fact that other, more efficient safeguards didn't replace the archaic regulation of S&L lead directly to the 1987 bailouts and indirectly to 2008.

[Valcouria]

I am enjoying the fact that the left-wingers here have such a utopian socialist and communist outlook on the USA, and are hoping for European-style socialism to take effect in the future. I think however that the current conservative movement will remain, and even be energized again, as the left continue to assault humanity's basic sense of decency as well as their wallets with their taxation to pay for the misfortunes of others.

Stop saying socialist like you know what the word means. Your borderline moronic ideas about economics are also pretty aggravating, as if money is 1. Finite and tied to anything, and 2. Ideally serves any purpose other than distributing resources, IE that it is some kind of marker of personal qualities or well-being, it's not.

Socialism: Economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

I am firmly against any government regulation in the economy, especially that which is tied to production and distribution. The best government is the smallest.

And, as far as any good economist should be concerned, money should be considered finite, else inflation will continue to plague the lower classes.

[MERIZoC]

Stop saying socialist like you know what the word means. Your borderline moronic ideas about economics are also pretty aggravating, as if money is 1. Finite and tied to anything, and 2. Ideally serves any purpose other than distributing resources, IE that it is some kind of marker of personal qualities or well-being, it's not.

Socialism: Economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

I am firmly against any government regulation in the economy, especially that which is tied to production and distribution. The best government is the smallest.

And, as far as any good economist should be concerned, money should be considered finite, else inflation will continue to plague the lower classes.

…Government regulation≠collective/governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

[Kelinfort]

Stop saying socialist like you know what the word means. Your borderline moronic ideas about economics are also pretty aggravating, as if money is 1. Finite and tied to anything, and 2. Ideally serves any purpose other than distributing resources, IE that it is some kind of marker of personal qualities or well-being, it's not.

Socialism: Economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

I am firmly against any government regulation in the economy, especially that which is tied to production and distribution. The best government is the smallest.

And, as far as any good economist should be concerned, money should be considered finite, else inflation will continue to plague the lower classes.

The pHilosophy of the Democratic Party is primarily Kenyesian. Not even close to socialism.

Finite money makes no economic sense as a concept. Even Friedman would disagree with you.

[New England and The Maritimes]

Socialism: Economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

I am firmly against any government regulation in the economy, especially that which is tied to production and distribution. The best government is the smallest.

And, as far as any good economist should be concerned, money should be considered finite, else inflation will continue to plague the lower classes.

The pHilosophy of the Democratic Party is primarily Kenyesian. Not even close to socialism.

Finite money makes no economic sense as a concept. Even Friedman would disagree with you.

It's almost like he has never read an actual book or article or ever thought critically about anything to do with economics. I am an anarchist, I don't believe money is the appropriate method to handle resource distribution, and I can't stand the state, but I actually bother to inform myself about anything at all to do with anything before I try to talk about it.