moratorium

Easily one of my least favorite subplot of the upcoming election is how frequently the Republican ticket, Sarah Palin especially, are referencing Reagan, as if he were some sort of political savior. Palin seems to think that the American people believe that had we all put our trust in Reagan, the country would be soaring on golden wings towards a prosperous future. A future that doesn’t recognize gays or minorities as having a place in our society. A future where misguided trickle-down economics, huge tax cuts for the rich, and deregulation create an economic system that does nothing for anyone who isn’t already part of America’s most wealthy.

I’m not a Reagan fan. I find the clinging by conservatives to his white-washed patrician values extremely upsetting. It speaks of self-interest, and of reactionary behavior that’s been far too prevalent in this decade. Attaching his name to your campaign could not say more about your complete disinterest in the middle class; for despite his winning rhetoric with Middle America, the middle classes bore far more of the burden during his presidency. I don’t understand why people feel the need to lionize him so, but let’s just add that to the list of things I don’t understand about politics.

But please, Republicans: A moratorium on invoking Reagan in speeches, debates, et al. You’re not winning any new fans, and even Reagan’s die-hard fans among the very wealthy are having trouble swallowing the comparison given the economic woes of late. We’re not impressed, and what’s more, your opponent’s been mentioned in the same breath with someone a little bit more impressive.