by Myles Spicer | July 10, 2009 • It is rumored that the spirit of Ronald Reagan – icon of Republicanism, author of Reaganomics, and, and the one who will “bless” the next presidential candidate – has been dismayed at the state of the party. Dismayed enough that he felt he had to intervene.
| Graduate U of Minn 1954. Flying officer USAF 1954-57 honorably discharged from reserve with rank of Capt. Owner several ad agencies in the Twin Cities and San Diego for over 45 years. Won several national creative awards in my career; and was a published author. Active politically entire adult life, and civil rights activist since age of 21. 76 years old…and an unrepentant liberal! |
He had intended to bless Mark Sanford, or John Ensign, or even Sarah Palin, then…well you know. His final choice became Tim Pawlenty, Governor (and soon to be former Governor) of Minnesota. Though not well reported, this is likely how it went:
Reagan:
Well Tim, you are the chosen one, the one who we will send up against that lefty liberal Obamain 2012. We can win this one, Tim. I have laid out the template, and all you have to do is follow in my footsteps.
Pawlenty:
Wow Ron, I am pleased and flattered. I will do exactly as you say, although you should know I have already been walking down your path. After all, Reaganomics is the bible us conservatives live by.
Reagan:
Uh..yes. Reagonomics. Ummm, I should warn you about a few pitfalls there, Tim.
Tim:
Pitfalls? Well, you did shrink government didn’t you? And you did cut taxes. And it did stimulate the economy, didn’t it? What’s to worry about?
Reagan:
Well…to be honest, I did cut taxes, at least on the top earners – however, I quietly raised them on the lower incomes with increased payroll taxes. That didn’t go over too well. But you should also be aware that the government did not shrink, and it kind of put me in a bind. Actually government expenditures were exactly the same percentage of GDP as before I came in, and after I left– maybe even a bit higher while I was President. That damn George H. W. Bush came at me with his “voodoo economics” comments during the campaign you might remember. Never trusted that guy anyway. Yes, we have to be a little bit careful on the Reaganomics thing, it may be a little, uhhh…flawed.
Tim
Yes, but what about all the new jobs with those lower taxes? That’s pretty much the same thing I promised. What was the deal there?
Reagan
Hmmmm, to tell the truth, it didn’t happen that way. We, uhhh, well, uhhh, actually had a recession in 1983. Better be careful about that one Tim. How did it go in Minnesota? Did the tax cuts create new jobs?
Tim
Oh oh…same thing. It could be a problem for me, I guess. Normally our unemployment rate is less than the national average, now it seems to be tracking about the same. In fact, we seem to be creating LESS jobs in the state be about 2% under the national average over the past few years. And, I’ve got another issue there too, Ron. In 2008 we lost 55,400 jobs! Is that going to be a problem for me?
Reagan
Well, not if you handle it right.
Tim
You mean blame it on the national economy, Right?
Reagan
No, no…you better not do that. Remember who was president at that time. Blaming Bush could come back to bite the party, and you. Let me think that one out a bit. Let’s get back to those tax cuts — that makes a good story. What’s the deal there?
Tim
Oh, you will like that Ron. Actually, I refused to raise the taxes on the top guys, just like you did. Instead I took it out of the hide of the little people — actually cancelled the health insurance of low income folks who probably did not deserve to have insurance anyway. We have this deal called “unallotments” – really sweet, and I was able to cut healthcare, education, and even a ton of money we used to send to local governments. You should have heard them howl. Hey, but just like you, I got a nice tax bite from the little guys because the local folks had to raise property taxes.
Reagan
Kinky! Great move, Tim. Yes! Take it out of the hide of the little people, they don’t vote much anyway, and with the favor you did to the top guys, you can count on plenty of big campaign funding. I like that. Now, here’s what you really ought to do. Just ask the folks of Minnesota “are you better off today, than you were 4 years ago!” Same stunt I pulled on Carter. That was the winner. What do you think Tim?
Tim
(silence)
Reagan
Tim? Tim?
Tim:
Well, uhhhhhh…I don’t think that will play well in Minnesota Ron. So, it may not be a good idea to pull that one out of the hat. What’s you next best idea?
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