Reagan and today's GOP

Stan Collender on Reagan's legacy:

My question is whether, in spite of the deification, Ronald Reagan would fit in with today's Republican Party as well it wants us to believe.
There's no doubt that some of Reagan's actions would be a perfect fit.  The big increases in military spending, his tax cut, and his firing of the air traffic controllers when then went on strike are three perfect examples of policies and actions that would go as well today as they did 30 or so years ago.
But I have serious doubts that the three tax increases Reagan signed, or the compromise he negotiated with House Speaker Tip O'Neill (D-MA) on Social Security would be held in as high regard.  In fact, the three tax increases he agreed to back then would be considered a combination between political heresy and apostasy by most elements of what the Republican Party has become.

I don't think anyone can govern effectively and meet the requirements of what amounts to a cult.  When proveable facts are routinely ignored, you can't do much in the way of argument.