What I learned back in the 1960s about what conservatives believe are legitimate government functions still holds true today. Back decades ago I meet with a group of John Birch supporters and asked them if the government that they opposed had any legitimate functions and they only mentioned three--defense, printing money, and border security. They felt that anything else was socialism. Come 50 years later and the Republican Party has been taken over by people who hold the same beliefs as the John Birchers of the past. Back then the Birchers were denounced even by conservatives like Barry Goldwater but today they effectively control the House of Representatives. The next two years will see a battle in Congress on how much these conservatives will be successful in defunding every social program that the Birchers 50 years ago wanted to defund. Even if the Democrats hold the White House and the Senate the conservatives in the House can stall any Congressional action in a number of ways and for them, inaction in the government is a win as long as they protect the three government areas they support.
P.S
Quote of the day from newly elected Representative George Santos: "In my 30 years in the House I have never seen such dysfunction!"
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