Conservatism
description
Transcript of Conservatism
-
ConservatismRise of the Conservatives1980s
-
Liberal vs. Conservative
-
LiberalLiberalism is a belief that government has a responsibility to actively solve societys problems.
-
ConservativeA Conservative generally believes that individuals should be given more responsibility to make choices in the area of economics and societys problems
-
Why Conservatism?Backlash against entitlements and Affirmative Action (reverse discrimination?)Opposition to big government programsOutrage at hippie lifestyle Desire for security (Increase defense, limit immigration)
-
Well, they look pretty undocumented to me.
-
Goals of ConservativesShrink the federal governmentReduce spendingPromote traditional morality and valuesStrengthen national defenseStimulating business by reducing government regulations and lowering corporate taxes
-
Conservative SupportCoalition: business leaders, frustrated middle-class voters, fundamentalist Christian groups
Elected Ronald Reagan 1980He was an actor, simplified things, very comfortable in front of people1980 Presidential commercials
-
Supply-side EconomicsDecrease taxes and reduce spendingTax cuts would increase private investments and stimulate the economyLargest tax cuts to the highest incomes
-
DeregulationReduce the size and spending of the federal government by cutting back on the regulation of industry
Eliminated safety inspections on nursing homes, deregulated the airlines and Savings & Loan
-
Reduction in Social Welfare ProgramsCut mass transit, food stamps, welfare benefits, job training, Medicaid, school lunches, and student loans (Cut domestic spending by over $40 billion)
-
War on DrugsRandom drug testing at govt workplacesCut off college loans and public housing to drug offendersAnti-drug education in schools Just say NOCalled drugs our gravest domestic threatLong sentences for drug offenders, death penalty for dealers, emphasis on stopping entry at bordersWar on Drugs Song
-
Civil Rights under ReaganEnd to Affirmative Action; saw as reverse discriminationOpposed abortion and ERA
-
Increased Defense SpendingSDI: Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars). Keep US safe from enemy missiles.Still Developing - 2013
National debt went from $900 billion to $4 trillion; interest payments on debt accounted for 21% of budget (more than budget for education, health, environment, agriculture, transportation, space, science, and technology combined!)