HW4.6

REAGAN'S PROMISES TO CUT TAX, DECREASE SOCIAL SPENDING, AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT FIT HIS "BRAND" OF CONSERVATISM.

Reagan's promise to cut tax for all American citizens fit his "brand" of conservatism. "He promised to stimulate the economy by cutting taxes and promoting private enterprise." (History Alive!, 56.3) He believed that cutting taxes leaves more money to the poor and to the rich and the money would slowly move down to the poor. "One Reagan official acknowledged that the tax cuts were intended to produce wealth at the upper levels that would 'trickle down' to all Americans." (History Alive!, 56.3)

Reagan decreased social spending, which fits his "brand" of conservatism. Reagan and many other conservatives thought social spending on social warfare wasn't the right thing to do. "They believed that social programs stifled personal initiative and produced a dependence on government aid, thus trapping people in in a cycle of poverty." (History Alive!, 56.4) In social spending, more tax is collected from the wealthy and distributed to the poor.

Reagan gave more power to the states, which fits his "brand" of conservatism. He tried to make this happen by power devolution. Block grants were given to states to use instead of giving money to the state and controlling how much is used for what for that state. "The system gave the states more flexibility, allowing them to design programs and allocate resources to suit their needs." (History Alive!, 56.4)