"The position of those embracing a post-liberal order is a far cry from the Reagan Republicans’ claim to want small government and free markets."
It seems to me that Reaganomics was essentially a fraud and was always a slight-of-hand coup by plutocrats. For all of the vocal government-bashing, Reagan Republicans have sure been drawn to th…
"The position of those embracing a post-liberal order is a far cry from the Reagan Republicans’ claim to want small government and free markets."
It seems to me that Reaganomics was essentially a fraud and was always a slight-of-hand coup by plutocrats. For all of the vocal government-bashing, Reagan Republicans have sure been drawn to the levers of governmental power, displaying by many forms or antidemocratic treachery that they want them all for themselves. No one want's to be micromanaged, and the cry of "small government" has some appeal to it, but notice how heavy-handed government has become, even under Reagan, and certainly Bush the Second, and Trump. It's only those features of government that aid or protect the disadvantaged, the public interest, or corporate or official accountability, that have been ended, eroded, or sidetracked. Republicans actually love government, so long as it's by them, and for them.
And is a "free market" one (as in a free society) in which there is equal opportunity? Or is it one that puts up no barrier to monopolies and cartels (trusts)? Republicans appear to very much prefer the latter description; but then, is substantial domination by any segment of society of the rest of its citizens, economically, politically, or both, meaningfully labeled "free"?
I wouldn't say that Republicans love government: what they seem to be doing, with great gusto, is play at governing, as very young children pretend to be mothers and fathers, or teachers and pupils. They are parroting words of which they don't know the meaning. Anyone ever read that nightmarish novel "Let's go and play at the Adams"?
I think that's true of most of the following, cosplaytriots and all, but there is some major society money flow being diverted over a period of decades, and which begs to be followed.
"The position of those embracing a post-liberal order is a far cry from the Reagan Republicans’ claim to want small government and free markets."
It seems to me that Reaganomics was essentially a fraud and was always a slight-of-hand coup by plutocrats. For all of the vocal government-bashing, Reagan Republicans have sure been drawn to the levers of governmental power, displaying by many forms or antidemocratic treachery that they want them all for themselves. No one want's to be micromanaged, and the cry of "small government" has some appeal to it, but notice how heavy-handed government has become, even under Reagan, and certainly Bush the Second, and Trump. It's only those features of government that aid or protect the disadvantaged, the public interest, or corporate or official accountability, that have been ended, eroded, or sidetracked. Republicans actually love government, so long as it's by them, and for them.
And is a "free market" one (as in a free society) in which there is equal opportunity? Or is it one that puts up no barrier to monopolies and cartels (trusts)? Republicans appear to very much prefer the latter description; but then, is substantial domination by any segment of society of the rest of its citizens, economically, politically, or both, meaningfully labeled "free"?
I wouldn't say that Republicans love government: what they seem to be doing, with great gusto, is play at governing, as very young children pretend to be mothers and fathers, or teachers and pupils. They are parroting words of which they don't know the meaning. Anyone ever read that nightmarish novel "Let's go and play at the Adams"?
I think that's true of most of the following, cosplaytriots and all, but there is some major society money flow being diverted over a period of decades, and which begs to be followed.
“cosplaytriots” - yes!
Don't "like", but have to agree.
Adopting “cosplaytriots”!
Me too!!
I adopted it as well from another discussion.
"....but there is some major society money flow being diverted over a period of decades, and which begs to be followed."
Indeed!!
Another well written post filled with clear observations. Eyes Open as always JL.