I was still in high school when Reagan was President and was just starting too really pay attention to politics and the impact it has. The entire downward trajectory of the GOP starts with Reagan IMO. The breaking of the ATC Union, Reagans pathetic response to the AIDS epidemic (which set back treatment for decades). As you mention the “Welfare Queen” trope and then Iran/Contra scandals which he should have been impeached for and many others out in jail for. That was also when religion began making a in roads in its lobbying. I can only imagine what else went on during the 80’s that never saw the light of day. But ever since then the GOP has steadily become more and more belligerent towards social values and anything below the upper class threshold and it’s only going to get worse.
DT for all his horrible qualities is just the start of a new phase in the GOP’s desire for an oligarchy here as it is in Russia. The next wave, Cotton, Massie, Rubio etc will push the line further. Unless...there is real accountability and justice applied to the current admin of DT. If people are held accountable by the Dems (if they win) and those who for the last 4 yrs have simply ignored the law are held to account we may be able to stop the progression. If we get the “We need to look forward not backward” from Biden if he wins it will only be slowed until the GOP (if they retain majority in Senate) can manufacture a way to impeach Biden.
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