The Republican Mind

Letter to AJC 4-26-2012


I am always amazed at the republican memory. It is short lived and selective. It seems to paint a rosy picture when suited to its ideological bias and recalls dire effects when progressive steps actually succeed in making our lives better. I'm sure future analysts will write reams on the conservative mind, and perhaps find a right-wing gene just as scientists are now uncovering the god gene.

Take for example their blinkered view of our hero Reagan. The man has been elevated to godlike status and is seen as the ultimate defender against tax increases. Strange that in the real record he actually raised taxes 11 separate times during his reign. But those small details don't seem to stick to the right wing memory. Perhaps it is too painful a connection to make. Maybe they don't want to admit that Reagan was actually a centrist.

Now that the primary season has passed its peak of entertainment, and we are saddled with the default candidate I'm sure we will be subjected to reruns of Reagan adoration as Romney tries to confuse voters with his execu-speak. And as we watch the faithful fall in line I will be reminded of that old Reagan witticism "there you go again".