Mirror, Mirror: Today's GOP Resembles 1981's Democrats

If history is repeating itself, it's watching itself in a mirror. Listening to the right-wingers weep and wail and gnash their teeth against Barack Obama and his initiatives at the CPAC convention this past weekend, one heard a party that was befuddled and confused. They could not believe that their time in the sun had passed, that their policies resulted in failure, and that the approaches and tactics upon which they had relied for so long and which had brought them many victories simply no longer worked. By reaching deep into their past and invoking the dire threat of socialism -- admittedly, not authoritarian Soviet-style socialism, but a Frenchier, more Euro socialism -- they seemed to be screaming ``Why aren't you people listening?'' And the way they painted Obama as a gifted politician who promised only catastrophe underscored the depth of their panic. In short, they seemed like nothing so much as the Democrats of 1981, when we were blind to our own shortcomings, when we were incapable of recognizing why voters wanted Ronald Reagan.

Well, good. It took us a long time to acknowledge our mistakes, to recognize where Reagan had better ideas, to express our values and policies in positive and appealing ways. As a result, we have lived in Ronald Reagan's world for nearly three decades, for good and for ill, and the best of what he offered is now spent. As Marjorie Connelly reported yesterday in The New York Times , the percentage of people identifying themselves as Democrats now outnumbers those who define themselves as Republicans by ten points (38-28), and the gap is widening; the Republicans seem to have estranged a generation of voters. The hysteria at CPAC offers all the proof anyone needs: we are entering a new era of progressivism. Let's make the most of it.

Comments

[snesich]

"recognize where Reagan had better ideas..."

When and where did Ronald Reagan have "better ideas"? What were they, exactly? And whose ideas were they superior to?

[JohnBryansFontaine]

The Democrats in 1980 failed for several reasons. The main one was that Ronald Reagan was far more entertaining and engaging than the preachy Jimmy Carter, who had long since lost his ubiquitous smile. Also, there was the Iran hostage crisis, and Carter's inability to solve it. Lastly, people were growing tired of the decadence of the seventies, so a return to conservatism seemed a natural path.

[historymatters]

I wouldn't say the situations of Democrats in 1981 and the GOP now are so parallel. Democratic principles worked in a lot of ways. The middle class grew steadily more prosperous during the years that Democrats had the majority. Did they make mistakes? Of course. Were some individuals corrupted by the power they wielded? Absolutely. Sames goes for everyone.

But note it's the bedrock principles of the Democratic party to which so many people are now returning. Rejuvenate unions to empower workers. Health care for all. Greater educational opportunity. Government regulation to prevent corporate greed from wreaking havoc and destroying our environment. Equal rights for everyone.

The plain fact is that the majority of Americans were enjoying a good quality of life from the post-WWII era all the way through the 1990s. And when they were fat and happy and didn't have to worry so much about keeping a roof over their heads and food in their bellies, they were willing to be played by the GOP. To vote based on their prejudices and bigotry instead of their economic and political interests. The GOP Southern Strategy was based on this, and it worked beautifully for the GOP. Not so much for Americans, which is why we are where we are now.

[vesaversa1]

Reaganomics is dead conservatism is dieing get ready for Obamanomics.

[zola77]

agreed. reaganomics was carried out over the past 30 years, was carried out to the fullest under W and has now reached its logical conclusion. Enough with idolising his 'trickle down' economics - been proved it doesnt work. So much so that the guy who wrote the original "trickle down" policy refuses to admit to being its author!

[smileatfear]

What the American people want more than anything is competence and a well-functioning government. The majority of the American people are really apolitical and don't feel a strong allegiance to either party. The neocons were ascendent only as long as things were running fairly smoothly and they were able to convince the American public they could get something for next to nothing. That is, we can cut taxes and start wars and deregulate and still things will run pretty much okay. But their philosophy of "shrink the govt. down to where it can be drowned in a bathtub" was one that eventually had to bring about total failure, and it did. When you put the fox in charge of the hen house eventually you will run out of chickens. It will be a long time before they change their dangerous ways. In the meantime, progressives should not gloat nor get too sure of themselves. A little doubt and humbleness usually leads to competence.

[carole131]

Thanks, ohioan73. It means even more to me, coming from someone from the midwest. I thought that everyone was "conservative" Republican there :))!. You've said it better than I could. Of course in many cases you're preaching to the choir. Another trait of the stagnant old man mindset is stubbornness. They'd cut off their noses even if what is proposed by our president is exactly what they wish for.

[FearlessFreep]

At least today's Republicans are capable of opposition. In 1981, when Reagan introduced his disastrous tax cuts, the Democrats responded with their OWN tax-cut scheme!

[ohioan73]

Political parties become irrelevant when they become too staunch and dated in their policies. To assume that America needs or wants a "conservative" (read socially stagnant) atmosphere forever, is to ignore the cultural impact that the USA has on the entire world. Part of our diplomacy is the millions and billions of children in other countries who worship our rockstars and our revolutionaries. We inspire them and they love us. Our trends, styles and music changes by the day and so does our collective consciousness. America has always been a nation that favors progress and growth. Anyone who doesn't keep up with America is left in our dust--that includes a party of progressive obstruction.

In other words--it was nice knowing ya, GOP, but we must retire you. You've become like WW2 grandpa who thinks every shadow is a German hiding in the corner. Communism collapsed, socialism is not a threat and its time for you to go to the "home", old man.