One of the central features of conservatism since Barry Goldwater was the idea that the federal government had become too large, too excessive, and too wasteful. Ever since the New Deal in the 1930s taxes increased, and government regulations had increased on businesses. Conservatives criticized Liberal government as eroding the freedoms of hardworking Americans. In his inaugural address in 1981 Ronald Reagan stated that government was the problem and not the solution to the nation’s woes. This was a reversal of Roosevelt’s idea that government was on the side of the people because it represented the interests people. How did Reagan convince Americans that tax cuts and deregulation would enhance their freedoms? Did he succeed?
