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Reaganomics Or Voodoo Economics Helped Spur Economic Research Paper

Reaganomics or voodoo economics helped spur economic growth in America after the Great Depression. The writer's contention that the national debt grew from 907 billion in 1980 to 2.6 trillion in 1988 under Reagan's administration is spot on. In fact, Reagan personally described the new national debt as the biggest disappointment of his presidency. However, I strongly feel that it is not fair to associate Reagan's presidency with the huge national debt only. The writer should have also highlighted Reagan's resolve to broaden tax base that raised revenue equal to 4% of existing tax revenue. The writer should have also talked of 1981 tax cuts and the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that positively impacted different aspects of the lives of the Americans. It is true that Reagan's administration was opposed to Soviet communism. Other than going for containment, Reagan felt...

His desire to nip communism in the bud must have informed his resolve to increase the Department of Defense expenditure from $267.1 billion in 1980 to 393.1 billion in 1988. Such expenditures could only be compared to Vietnam War era expenditures. Reagan's administration is synonymous with mobilization of evangelical Christian base just as the writer put it. In fact, in the period between 1980 and 1984, the pro-Reagan moral majority registered over two million voters.
Conservatism has played critical role in the American political landscape since the 1950's. However, as the writer puts it, it gained much currency during President Ronald Reagan's spell at presidency. The writer's…

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Conservatism has played critical role in the American political landscape since the 1950's. However, as the writer puts it, it gained much currency during President Ronald Reagan's spell at presidency. The writer's assertion that strong conservative movements existed even before the 1980's and that their strength in absolute numbers was determined by political and economic factors is very true. William F. Buckley, the founder and editor of the National Review, is a clear manifestation to this. He clearly articulated the ideals of conservatives even before the 1980's. The writer's assertion that Reagan's ascendancy to power and presidency made the conservatives to clearly and vocally express their views is very true. President Reagan gave voice to the opinions of the vast majority of Americans with the Bully Pulpit of the American presidency. Reagan was a great communicator. This is evidenced in the way he defined conservatism. He asserted that the heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism and the basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference. This made him connect easily with the ordinary citizens.

The goals and values of conservative movement like the rule of law, fiscal conservatism, limited government intervention, individual responsibility, strong family values, and attention to the core values of Judeo-Christian Ethics, as the writer puts, can be summarized into overall reduction of taxation, the policy of rolling back communism, strengthening family values, and enhancing conservative Christian morality.

When Reagan ascended to the presidency, politicians began courting the powerful Christian right for their votes because they were capable of articulating their desires, a departure from the past when they were shouted down by less than shy liberals. This made the conservatives a significant force in the American politics as the writer notes. Issues relating to family values and pro-life positions were openly talked about. It is true that American voters now identify themselves as very conservative, conservative, or moderate.
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