The era is marked by a change from liberal to more conservative policies; and, the focus shifts from the federal government to the local and state governments. In his 1981 inaugural address, Ronald Reagan said that “government is not the solution to the problem: government is the problem.” This sentiment refers to allowing businesses and organizations to meet the people’s needs and stop the federal government from assuming so much responsibility from the state and local government. The conservative backlash was a response to the growing national presence under the liberal administrations. But, this was not always consistent. Let us examine the drinking age as an example.
The Constitution reserves the states’ power to provide for public health, safety, welfare, and morals. The Republican philosophy has been to return these types of controls to the states. Accordingly, it came as a surprise to many when President Reagan raised the drinking age to 21 and required the states to follow the national lead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aWYJugVTs4&feature=emb_logo (Links to an external site.)
The Republicans of this era were conservative – but not as conservative as those of today. Let us take immigration as an example. Trump and the modern Republican party have focused on banning Muslims, building a wall, and not taking people from s*hole countries. Listen to this debate between Reagan and Bush for the 1980 Republican nomination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsmgPp_nlok&t=9s (Links to an external site.)
In 1981, the MMWR (Links to an external site.) reported that five (5) gay men were suffering from pneumonia in what appeared to be a new syndrome. Listen to the press conferences of the Reagan administration during this period. Were they taking this seriously? It was not until 1985 – 4 years into the epidemic – that the president finally said the word “AIDS.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAzDn7tE1lU&t=20s (Links to an external site.)
One of the Bush era’s significant accomplishments was the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) to protect people living with disabilities. This action was not expected during a Republican presidency focused on allowing businesses more freedom and the state government to supplant national interests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juI_WjKD2yY (Links to an external site.)
Contemplate these videos, and post your comments to your colleagues.
What do you think of the federal government raising the drinking age by controlling highway money to the states? Do you agree that the states should make these decisions, or do you think we should have a national standard? Was Reagan a hypocrite by raising the drinking age to 21?
Do you think President Reagan or President Bush could get the Republican nomination today with this stated immigration policy position?
What did you think of the Reagan-era press conferences and their response to AIDS? Do you think they were taking this seriously? Do you think the population in need of care, treatment, or services impacted by a situation makes a difference to the government’s response?
What do you think of the ADA? Do you think it is important? Significant?
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