The reason that the comparisons to President Reagan are made is because the philosphy is exactly what he espoused: TRUSTING & BELIEVING IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
This is precisely why Sarah Palin will win the nomination and ultimately the Presidency. There are still more of us than them.
The "them" you speak of have failed to grasp what it means to be an American, the freedom that comes with it, and the laws instituted to protect said freedom.
The individual is the 'unit' of freedom that must be protected at all cost and yet, hasn't been due to concerns 'for the many'.
"With liberty, and justice, for all" is the standard we must strive to achieve without special consideration for women, blacks, latinos, etc. If we protect the individual's rights, everyone's are protected. If we single-out groups for special treatment, others are denied.
A significant part of this country's ills stem from this type of thinking. Separated by race, by gender, by income, we've balkanized ourselves into something certainly non-American. The left has capitalized on this technique. Our courts re-inforce it (wise Latina?) by affirming actions to up-lift minorities over others in education and employment.
To be American is to be fair to everyone. To be a leftist American is to be fairer to some group or another. That is the "them" that you speak of and hopefully, they'll not be able to defeat Sarah in this next go-around (should she decide to run).
I'm not proud to count "them" as my 'brother', anymore than I would those who'd willingly seek to burn my house down. This country's foundation on the principle that all are created equal ought not be attacked similarly. Those that do are arsonists- social and political arsonists in my mind. They not only tear at the fabric of America, they set fire to it and have done so for many years.
The "them" you speak of are free to be themselves. Such is the nature of freedom. However, it comes at a cost to the rest of us. But, I don't know if I can afford it any longer. I'm spent, tapped-out, and just wish it weren't another expense I have to incur.
Memorial Day weekend is busy for me, but I confess, each time I see Air Force jets perform the Missing Man formation I well-up with emotion and fight back tears. My dad (West Point grad, B-17 squadron commander) comes to mind each time, as well as all of those who fought for and died for this country. We owe it to them to 'unite', to put that missing-man back into formation and push ourselves toward a prosperity and freedom that those who made the biggest sacrifice would be proud.
My prayer would be, that those on the Left and their interest groups might someday become assimilated- to honor that which gives them the freedom to dissent, but ask only that, at the end of the day, they remain American. Nothing more, nothing less. If we share a fox-hole, then let's share it with pride. Our pride in being American and our pride in being free. There are a lot of forces gunning for us and coming from every direction. I'll have your back if you'll have mine. Fair?