The Party of Reagan ...

How did conservatism go from where it was in the 80's with The Party of Reagan to where it is today?

I can't really call myself a true conservative, but I am definitely conservative-friendly. Every online political survey I've ever taken has labeled me somewhere right of center to varying degrees, but I find less and less alignment with our national conservative leaders.

I just read an opinion piece by conservative political commentator, Adam Kinzinger, on Why Republicans are turning against aid to Ukraine. Mr Kinzinger is a USAF veteran of Iraq & Afghanistan and was also a Republican member of Congress from 2011 through January of this year. In his piece he says:

Gone is the party of Reagan, which was steadfast in its stand against tyranny. In its place is rising a GOP that seems immune to the world’s need for American leadership and uninterested in the suffering of a country we should aid until the fight is over.

Obviously, Mr Kinzinger in his essay and I in my post here are talking about Ukraine and Russia. One is led by an authoritarian tyrant who invaded the other, a fledgling democracy trying to shed the systems and institutions put upon it after decades of Soviet rule.

The Party of Reagan would not have taken a nanosecond to decide who to support in this conflict. Sure, they would've approached Ukraine about cleaning up some things (which they are doing), but none of that would have deterred The Party of Reagan from supporting Ukraine to the successful end of this conflict.

So, to my conservative friends ... Help me understand the thinking here? And in your explanations, please avoid the words Trump and/or Biden. Both of them are short-term blips in the history of this great country and in the development of western civilization & democracy.

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Scribbles · 36-40, F

Alot of conservative Christians idolize Reagan. I think Reagan is more mythos to some then a real person. Perhaps because of how much of a populist he was among the niche that was conservatism then. He was a symbol of hope that their party could use state rights to gain lots and lots of power, and change America to suit their vision, nevermind the rest of the people living here.

I personally don't understand admiring a smiling pig who ran on Christian ideals, and racist policies and reforms on a platform of state's rights over federal rights and "law and order" which has resulted in a lot more tyranny and oppression for the American people in my opinion.

Reagan wanted America great again, not unlike Trump's platform.

As for his Reagan doctrine and stance against tyranny...well that's largely questionable when the man was a deeply flawed individual who supported aparteid in South Africa but also wanted to support countries overthrowing communism.

I think conservatives are right on brand. Very little has changed except instead of smiling, conservatives bang on about being victims.

Also alot of conservatives didn't always support Reagan's policies. They often didn't want to send aid to others either. They saw it as against their own self interest. Much the same as now.

room101 · 56-60, M

@Scribbles 100% on point. Especially your point about him being for the apartheid regime in South Africa👏👏👏

Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

@Scribbles As South Africa was “anti-communist,” his choice was clear.