Nathan Newman:
> What was the Reagan Revolution, other than large defense spending and big
> deficits starving the public sector?
-"The revolt against the poor."
My point is that Thatcherism actually made structural changes in the public sector of Britain through privatization and union-busting in government-run facilities. Despite PATCO and despite cuts in many programs (often restored when the Dems retook Congress in 1986 and after), public sector unionism has actually grown since Reagan and the basic structure of the welfare state is largely intact. Yes, TANF is no longer an entitlement at the federal level - although some states come close to implementing it that way still -- but food stamps, Medicaid, and a host of other programs still exist. The largest assault of Reaganism was on housing programs for the poor and the continued lack of funding for affordable housing is probably the longest-lasting legacy of Reaganism.
-- Nathan Newman