HW4.5

Did Reagan's policies fit the conservative "brand"?

INCREASED GOVERNMENT DEFICIT DID NOT FIT REAGAN'S "BRAND", BUT POWER DEVOLUTION WAS A POLICY WHICH FIT THE CONSERVATIVE "BRAND".

One of Reagan's "brand" was to reduce government spending, since the US had "piled deficit upon deficit" (Reagan's First Inaugural Address 1981), but he didn't fulfill his promise. Before Reagan, the budget deficit was below $75 billion, but by 1986, the deficit reached $221 billion, largely due to 85% increase in military spending.

Devolving power of federal government was one of Reagan's "brand" which he did fulfill. He promised to "curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment" (Reagan's First Inaugural Address 1981). Thus, he supported Nixon's New Federalism and issued block grants, allowing states to spend money on social programs as they saw fit.

HW4.4

"Who is to blame for America's trend toward high divorce rates, starting in the 1970s?"

THE HIGH DIVORCE RATES STARTING IN THE 1970s ARE THE RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF RICH MIDDLE-AGED MEN AND FEMINISTS WHO FOUGHT FOR NO-FAULT DIVORCE.

Rich middle-aged men who desired younger women were partly to blame. Caught up in "Jennifer Fever", many like Eugene McCathy and Wayne Hays in 1970s divorced their wives of many years and attracted younger women with their wealth. According to Wolfe, it became "normal behavior", and divorce rates rose rapidly.

The "me" attitude of wealthy, middle-aged men partly contributed to high divorce rates. Instead of being dutiful dads and husbands, many men said, "I've got only one life, let me live it as a..." According to Wolfe, wealthy middle-aged men "took [their] money and ran", contributing to high divorce rates.

Feminists who fought for no-fault divorce were partly responsible. Feminist groups like the National Organization for Women beginning in 1960s, pushed for no-fault divorce. But no-fault divorce became a "remarkable gift" to men. As getting divorces became easy and inexpensive, it contributed to more than 1.1 million divorces in 1979.

1970s TV programs show society was changing and feminists didn't need changes in divorce laws. In "All in the Family", the college-educated daughter got a job. This shows women's role outside home was already increasing in society. Thus, changes in divorce laws were unneeded. As daughter said, "Times have changed."

HW4.3

"Who is to blame for America's trend toward high divorce rates, starting in the 1970s?"

THE HIGH DIVORCE RATES STARTING IN THE 1970s ARE THE RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF RICH MIDDLE-AGED MEN AND FEMINISTS WHO FOUGHT FOR NO-FAULT DIVORCE.

Firstly, rich middle-aged men in the 1970s were caught up in "Jennifer Fever". Instead of staying home, they divorced their wives of many years in search of young women. With their wealth, they easily attracted these women. This resulted in the rising divorce rates.

These men were also immersed in the selfish thinking of the "Me" movement. Instead of being dutiful dads and husbands, they said, "I've got only one life, let me live it as a..." As Tom Wolfe said, wealthy middle-aged men "took [their] money and ran", resulting in high divorce rates.

Feminists who fought for no-fault divorce were also partly responsible. With their fervent protesting, no-fault was established, but it allowed men to free themselves from marriage without any legal consequences. As a result, from 1975 to 1983, the number of divorced women rose by 28% to more than 3 million.