• TipRing@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    It definitely started with Reagan.

    While he didn’t originate the expression he did go on TV to quip “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”

    Which is such a deeply stupid thing to say, but it perfectly characterized Reagan’s animosity towards the bureaucracy that makes our country function. He did immense damage to that bureaucracy in his tenure, politicizing department heads that had previously been professionals, crippling useful programs like welfare and greenlighting wasteful ones like Star Wars. Conservatives are eager to make the government as ineffective as they claim it to be.

    Project 2025 will be this and so much worse, but this trend really took off with Reagan.

    Just add it to the pile of reasons why that man’s grave should be spit upon.