Republicans: The Party of Big Government
The Irony of the Republican Party
For 63 years, I've witnessed the evolution of our nation, and it perplexes me how the Republican Party has branded itself as the party of less government. Reflecting on my time in the Air Force, stationed in Texas at the young age of 17, when Reagan took office, the promise of reduced government seemed compelling. However, what followed was a series of policies that led to government expansion that contradicts their core message.
The War on Drugs: A Government Job Creation Scheme
Reagan’s initiative, the infamous War on Drugs, is a prime example of this contradiction. This campaign stemmed from a genuine concern about drug abuse but morphed into a colossal failure that expanded the prison system and established a robust police state. What started as a moral panic turned into a government jobs creation initiative, securing employment for countless lawyers and law enforcement officials. Instead of effectively addressing drug-related issues, this misguided campaign resulted in locking up countless citizens, thus underlining the irony of a party declaring itself against big government.
The Aftermath of 9/11 and Trump’s COVID Response
As we fast forward to the Bush-Cheney years, the tragic events of 9/11 left a deep scar on our nation. Throughout this period, the government was criticized for its failure to protect the American people, yet no heads rolled. Instead, citizens were subjected to surveillance and treated with suspicion, a directly contradictory stance for a party claiming to prioritize personal freedom. Fast forward again to the Trump administration, where the response to COVID-19 further blurred the line between 'less government' and 'big government.' Lockdowns and government mandates that were ostensibly designed for public safety transformed into an extended reach of government into our daily lives.
It's no wonder that people begin to question the Republican narrative. Are they truly the party of less government, or are they merely experts at redefining what 'big government' means? The Republicans, with their policies over the decades, appear to be creating a more extensive governing apparatus rather than curbing it. This breeds skepticism amongst the citizenry that yearns for genuine reforms. Many of us, reflecting on our experiences and the unfolding historical events, can’t help but feel that perhaps this party has strayed from its original intentions. We need to ask ourselves: is this the government we truly want?