Reagan clarified the clash of ideas

That’s the money quote from Will Saletan’s latest column at Slate, where he takes the money quote from Reagan’s farewell address in 1989:

“There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.”

Saletan goes on to write, “In clarifying his own views, he clarified mine: I’m not a conservative. If he has done the same for you, this would be a good day to thank him.”

Indeed, I do. While Reagan showed what it was to be a leader, he also helped me forge my own political views. As I neared voting age (I just missed voting for George H.W. Bush in 1988; by the time the next election rolled around, I was squarely in Clinton’s camp), I had Reagan to thank for framing much of the conservative debate.

Thanks, Mr. President. Like Saletan, I’m not a conservative either.