In justifying a $1 million state subsidy for stem cell research, state Sen. Russell Potts, R-Winchester, indirectly invoked the moral authority of Ronald Reagan. “If [stem cell research] is all right for Nancy Reagan and her family … it’s all right for me.” (As reported by Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Jeff E. Schapiro.)
It is touching to hear such reverence for the opinion of Nancy Reagan, who supports stem cell research as a potential cure for the Alzheimer’s Disease that crippled and killed her husband. I wonder if Mr. Potts feels the same deep-seated respect for other sentiments that Nancy Reagan might hold, especially those she shared with her husband, including his opposition to increasing taxes and government spending.
I don’t recall Mr. Potts having cited the moral authority of either Nancy or Ronald Reagan in defense of his fiscal philosophy as practiced here in Virginia. Indeed, Mr. Potts’ legislative record is the antithesis of everything that Ronald Reagan–and his wife– stood for. As documented by Bacon’s Rebellion columnist Phillip Rodokanakis (“And the Winner Is….”, Jan. 31, 2005), Potts not only supported last year’s tax increase in Virginia, the biggest in state history, he lent his name to legislation that would have increased state spending by more than $2 billion — more than any other member of the General Assembly.
Say what you want, Mr. Potts, spend what you want. But keep Ronald Reagan out of it.
