(2004-06-09) Brooks Reagan Optimism

David Brooks on Ronald Reagan's Optimism: Reagan agreed with these old conservatives about communism and other things. But he transformed their movement from a past- and loss-oriented movement to a future- and possibility-oriented one, based on a certain idea about America... Unlike earlier conservatives, he had a boyish faith in science and technology (StarWars). He embraced immigration, and preferred striving to stability. On the economic front, he inspired writers like George Gilder, WarrenTBrookes and Julian Simon, who rhapsodized about Entrepreneur-ialism and wealth creation.