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Late 1970s/ early 1980s shifted towards conservatism that lasted into the early 1990s. After early 1990s, there was slow tilt towards liberalism that took place. Both 1980s and 1990s were more conservative overall than the 1970s. Around 2002 with war on terrorism starting, we saw another conservative swing that lasted until around 2007 followed by another left wing shift after Obama went into office.
What liberal tilt in the 90s?
Where was Clinton’s presidency even remotely liberal on gods green earth?
I voted 1990s, because there was a right-ward shift generally starting with Reagan, which continued after he left office in 1989. The GOP took the US house for the first time in 40 years in 1994. In retrospect, Clinton was probably center-right in practice. I just read Chasing Hillary by Amy Chozick about the 2016 campaign. She talks about how Hillary was having to constantly run away from pieces of Bill's record. Welfare reform and the 1994 crime bill were two big ones, and there were others such as banking reform (Glass-Steagall).
Out of curiosity, what makes Bill’s president center-right rather than strongly right.
NAFTA, privatization, welfare reform, Prison expansion, stock market growth, breaking of anti-trust laws, deregulation of credit loans, pro-war policies, marriage defense, etc.
People think that the 1980s were the conservative decade because of Reagan while they think that the 1990s were liberal because of the Clintons. However, consider the following:
- In the 1980s, the memory of Vietnam made politicians reluctant to go to war. In the 1990s, neoconservatism was the consensus.
- In the 1980s, one of the two political parties opposed the death penalty. In the 1990s, everyone and their mother supported the death penalty.
- Incarceration rates rose in the 1990s more than in any other decade.
- Megan's Law was enacted in the 1990s.
- Zero tolerance schools became a thing in the 1990s.
- In the 1980s, high schools allowed students to bring guns and smoke cigarettes.
- Standardized testing became common in the the 1990s.
- PG and PG-13 movies often showed bare breasts in the 1980s.
- Welfare reform happened in the 1990s.
- Telecom and banking anti-trust laws were loosened in the 1990s.
- Amnesty for illegal immigrants was bipartisan consensus in the 1980s, but became controversial in the 1990s.
Don't forget Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (which only allowed marriage between a man and a woman) and Don't Ask Don't Tell (Homosexuals are allowed to join the military, but they cannot engage in any homosexual conduct).
Out of curiosity, what makes Bill’s president center-right rather than strongly right.
NAFTA, privatization, welfare reform, Prison expansion, stock market growth, breaking of anti-trust laws, deregulation of credit loans, pro-war policies, marriage defense, etc.
Where was the center in all this?
Things must be measured based on when they occur.
Don't ask, don't tell was a major advance in "liberal" items....
Vast expansion of education (socialist!) and the Government programs to install internet in all schools and libraries.
Family leave and medical act
Paid down most of the deficit
Most diverse admin in history up to that time....a number of firsts including first females in many high placed positions . Remember, Clinton was called "the first black President"....
Many addition "socialist" programs to allow for full and fast growth of the Internet and the Sciences (decoding the Human Genome, etc.)
All you have to do is see which party controlled Congress in both decades and you will have your answer.
Dems in the 80's and the Repubs in the 90's.
By the way I don't remember high schools allowing their students to bring guns or smoke on campus.
Where did you go to school that this happened?
That may have been more of a 70s thing. I grew up in WNY-we had a rifle club that shot at the school, and frequently had guns in our vehicles for hunting after school. The school also put in a "smoking lounge" when the whole anti-smoking movement got underway.
Out of curiosity, what makes Bill’s president center-right rather than strongly right.
NAFTA, privatization, welfare reform, Prison expansion, stock market growth, breaking of anti-trust laws, deregulation of credit loans, pro-war policies, marriage defense, etc.
Where was the center in all this?
Clinton did gun control (1994 assault weapons ban), He raised the top income tax rate in 1993. He tried (actually Hillary did) to implement universal health care. He cracked down on 'big tobacco,' banning even Joe Camel (advertising cartoon character). I consider these all as left-of-center initiatives.
But in general I agree that he was more right than left. Conservative writer Bruce Bartlett, that Bill Clinton actually had an ambitious liberal agenda at first but was talked out of it by pollster Dick Morris (who later became a right wing loon) and Treas. Sec. Robert Rubin.
Where was Clinton’s presidency even remotely liberal on gods green earth?
The 90s were more socially liberal. TV and music were a lot more “safe” and “family oriented” in the ‘80s. In the ‘90s, things were a lot more experimental. TV sitcoms were more likely to use profanity or touch on controversial social issues. You didn’t see that as much in the 80s. TV in the 90s was more likely to feature non-traditional families and was less uptight about sexual themes. Music in the 80s was also quite “safe” compared to the 90s. Grunge and hip-hop really shocked people as the 80s became the 90s. The 90s was also the first decade that it was somewhat acceptable to be gay and open about it, even though back then you had to be in a major coastal city.
All you have to do is see which party controlled Congress in both decades and you will have your answer.
Dems in the 80's and the Repubs in the 90's.
By the way I don't remember high schools allowing their students to bring guns or smoke on campus.
Where did you go to school that this happened?
Both were common in the 1980s. High schools had shooting teams and smoking areas. My own high school dropped the smoking areas around 1986/1987. Shooting club remained until 1991, I believe.
All you have to do is see which party controlled Congress in both decades and you will have your answer.
Dems in the 80's and the Repubs in the 90's.
By the way I don't remember high schools allowing their students to bring guns or smoke on campus.
Where did you go to school that this happened?
Weren't allowed to bring guns on campus but my catholic high school had an outdoor smoking area for seniors. (1994-Philly suburbs)
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