What Republican Used to Believe

[SB Shock]

What Republicans Used to Believe
The WSJ journal story got me thinking about the differences between the Republican Party that Reagan led versus what Trump espouses.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/...lieve-71a77c22

I am a Ronald Reagan guy. I had to take an "American Heroes" class at WSU. When kids were putting down Van Halen, some actor, or somebody else who had done nothing for their country, who never served it sacrificially – I put down Ronald Reagan, much to the surprise of those in my class.

1. Worldview and Foreign Policy

Reagan: Advocated for a proactive and idealistic international role for the U.S., promoting democracy and standing against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He believed in American exceptionalism and its duty to lead and inspire globally.

"America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere." – Ronald Reagan Inaugural Address, 1981.

Trump: Championed an "America First" policy, focusing on national interests and often questioning the value of international alliances and interventions.

"Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo." – Donald Trump Acceptance Speech, Republican National Convention, 2016.

2. Trade:
Reagan: Supported free trade as a means of promoting economic growth and international cooperation. He believed in the power of markets and the importance of America being an integral part of the global economy.

"I believe in free trade, and one of the best ways to promote peace is to extend the free flow of trade worldwide." – Ronald Reagan Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade, 1988.

Trump: Adopted a protectionist stance, criticizing free trade agreements like NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He favored imposing tariffs.

"I am a tariff man. When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so." – Donald Trump Twitter, 2018.

3. Immigration:

Reagan: Signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which legalized millions of undocumented immigrants. He spoke of America as a "shining city on a hill" that welcomes those seeking freedom and opportunity.

"America represents something universal in the human spirit. You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey, and you won't become a German or a Turk. But... anybody from any corner of the world can come to America to live and become an American." – Ronald Reagan Speech, 1990.

"Our nation is a nation of immigrants. More than any other country, our strength comes from our own immigrant heritage and our capacity to welcome those from other lands." – Ronald Reagan Radio Address to the Nation on Immigration Reform, 1981.

Trump: Took a hardline stance on immigration, advocating for building a (small, short) wall on the southern border,

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best... They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." – Donald Trump Presidential Campaign Announcement Speech, 2015.

4. Economic Policy:

Reagan: Advocated for supply-side economics, commonly known as "Reaganomics," which involved reducing taxes, deregulating industries, and cutting government spending to stimulate economic growth.

"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." – Ronald Reagan Inaugural Address, 1981.

Trump: He has favored tax cuts and deregulation, as seen in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. However, his administration did reduce government spending, leading to increased deficits.

"Trade wars are good, and easy to win."

Before Elected: "China ripping off the United States"

After Elected "The Trade Deficit with China is not a problem."

5. Outlook and Rhetoric:

Reagan: Known for his optimistic vision of America and its future, he often invokes the metaphor of a "shining city on a hill" and promotes hope and positivity.

"We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." – Ronald Reagan First Inaugural Address, 1981.

"We are all Americans. We share the same flag, the same land, the same dreams, and the same hopes for a better future. A new breeze is blowing, and the old bipartisanship must be made new again." - State of the Union Address, 1987.

"Our commitment to NATO, an alliance based not on territory but on shared values, remains steadfast." – Ronald Reagan Address to Members of the British Parliament, June 8, 1982.

"There's no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." – Ronald Reagan.

Trump: While also projecting confidence in American greatness, his rhetoric was is combative and polarizing.

"The American Dream is dead." Donald Trump Presidential Campaign Announcement Speech, 2015.

"We're a nation whose economy is collapsing into a cesspool of ruin; we have become a drug-infested, crime-ridden nation, which is incapable of solving the simplest of problems." Donald Trump 2024 Campaign

"NATO is obsolete” Twitter, 2016.

"Part of the beauty of me is that I am very rich."

SUMMARY:

Ronald Reagan Made America Great Again not the imposter Trump.

[asiseeit]

No doubt at all that RR was a great POTUS, top three IMO. I'm older and was middle aged back then. The world has changed. DJT is no imposter. He and his policies have been largely correct this day and age to combat different kinds of threats, to combat globalists, communism, progressives, our borders, and foreign threats. This country desperately needs his leadership again.

[pinstripers]

No doubt at all that RR was a great POTUS, top three IMO. I'm older and was middle aged back then. The world has changed. DJT is no imposter. He and his policies have been largely correct this day and age to combat different kinds of threats, to combat globalists, communism, progressives, our borders, and foreign threats. This country desperately needs his leadership again.

This country desperately needs his policies again.

[Atxshoxfan]

Had Reagan been president post Obama, I'm sure his views and policies would have been much different. He didn't have to deal with mass illegal immigration, corrupt federal bureaucracies or the push for socialism, green energy, legalized drugs, destruction of oue penal system, tax payer funded handouts to illegal immigrants and foreign nations who want nothing more than to destroy America.
Regretfully this is a post 9/11 and post Obama world. Totally different America, totally different world. I wish everyone could enjoy life like it used to be.
So go vote for Joe or any other Democrat, they all cater to the socialist donors.

[asiseeit]

His policies would be much like Trump's in this day and age. Both true conservatives not like so many of the RINO Republican congressmen that have sold out to the elitists the past twenty years

[Kung Wu]

For example: If you think NAFTA was actually fostering the "free trade" that Reagan was referring to, you aren't up to date on economics. The free trade Reagan referred to simply meant LESS government interference in international trade. NAFTA was MOUNDS and MOUNDS of government interference. Just because "Free Trade" is in the name of a policy, doesn't mean a darn thing.

[Shockm]

For example: If you think NAFTA was actually fostering the "free trade" that Reagan was referring to, you aren't up to date on economics. The free trade Reagan referred to simply meant LESS government interference in international trade. NAFTA was MOUNDS and MOUNDS of government interference. Just because "Free Trade" is in the name of a policy, doesn't mean a darn thing.

Economic times have totally changed since the Reagan era. He didn't and couldn't have forseen what was going to be here 40 years later, but his policies worked for the United States in 1980. His policies worked for his time. However China changed, and America changed. China was viewed by the world as a 3rd World Economy during Reagan. They still are given many advantages as a lower economy even though China is one of the Top 3 World economic powers now. Reagan wouldn't have kept with his policies that he had then if he was the U.S. President today. I know that many on here don't like to read a lot, but there is a lot of information in this thread. Reagan's policies which helped the middle and lower classes in the 1980's were helping them less and less by 2000. The economy for the Elites was skyrocketing, while the middle and lower classes were inching lower.

Reagan Set Up The Death Of The Middle Class, But China Was The Clincher

https://ourfuture.org/20140930/reaga...s-the-clincher

Prior to the initiation of economic reforms and trade liberalization nearly 40 years ago, China maintained policies that kept the economy very poor, stagnant, centrally controlled, vastly inefficient, and relatively isolated from the global economy. Since opening up to foreign trade and investment and implementing free-market reforms in 1979, China has been among the world’s fastest-growing economies, with real annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaging 9.5% through 2018, a pace described by the World Bank as “the fastest sustained expansion by a major economy in history.” Such growth has enabled China, on average, to double its GDP every eight years and helped raise an estimated 800 million people out of poverty.

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33534

[1972Shocker]

BREAKING: Mitch McConnell to Step Down As Senate GOP Leader

https://redstate.com/jenvanlaar/2024/02/28/breaking-mitch-mcconnell-to-step-down-as-senate-gop-leader-n2170704

Good riddance.. Wished we did not have to wait until November.

[WstateU]

https://youtube.com/shorts/kXFeLwRss...HQLUF5Sr9Lo8x4