HW4.5

Question: Did Reagan's policies fit his "brand" of Conservatism?

THE INCREASE IN DEFICITS AND DEBTS, DEREGULATION, AND REDUCED SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING ARE POLICIES THAT DON'T FIT REAGAN'S "BRAND" OF CONSERVATISM.

The increase in deficits and debts didn't fit Reagan's "brand" of Conservatism. The federal budget deficits increased during his two terms in office. The main reason was military spending. "During Reagan's first term, the annual budget of the Department of Defense increased nearly 85 percent." (History Alive, 56.3) The national debt tripled from 1980 to 1988 (more than the debts all other former-presidents had).

Deregulation also doesn't fit Reagan's "brand" of Conservatism. Some laws were removed so that businesses could create more jobs and expand the economy. This made the Environmental Protection Agency lower federal standards on air and water quality. "Many public-interest groups fought efforts to revise environmental laws and workplace safety rules. They charged that the proposed changes endangered workers and the general public." (History Alive, 56.3) The 1972 Clean Water Act was renewed by Congress in 1987.

Reduction of social welfare spending is a policy that doesn't fit Reagan's "brand" of Conservatism. "Liberals protested that these cuts harmed the poor and forced cities to reduce services to those in need." (History Alive, 56.4) The reduction in social welfare spending caused the number of children living in poverty to grow by 25 percent and the number of homeless people to increase.