The paradox of American politics is no better exemplified than through the reaction of the Reagan administration and conservative parties to the spread of HIV/AIDS virus.  The largest contradiction within the Republican and conservative party was demonstrated through the blatant paradox that was enforced, and encouraged, during the major outbreak of the 1970’s and 80’s.

The reaction of the current administration would be comparable to a man denying that the titanic was sinking, simply because his side of the boat was rising.  The majority of the American people, voters for that matter, were not afflicted by the illness nor were close to those afflicted.  This created the aforementioned illusion of a ship that isn’t sinking.  The reality though, is that in the end both sides end up in the same place.   As thousands died the White House was silent to the marches, protests and demonstrations of the gay community.  As children were excluded from school, despite the publications of the CDC stating there was no danger of contamination through casual contact, the president passively agreed to the fear mongering.

It was the social stigma that the “conservative” parties attributed to the disease that truly allowed for it to flourish.  An already segregated and discriminated group was now under attack with pseudo scientific claims stating the disease was only attributed to gay men.  The paradox lies within the pro small government stance that conservatives strive for, being replaced by calls to regulate the lives of citizens with increased government control.  Gun regulation brings about fear of government take over, yet there was little debate on government involvement in private matters of a citizen’s life. Calls to close the Gay Bathhouses that served as a way of sexual release for homosexual men were met with applause, while little was done to actually manage the disease.

It was only with the influence of other groups that the cause of the disease and the spread were regulated.  Using abstinence as a form of birth control is a method that has proven to be flawed, yet is still taught by more religiously inclined areas.  It was the condom campaigns and awareness adds that allowed for the public to come it its senses.  It was only the use of awareness for testing, prevention, and treatment, that the disease was finally regulated.  These cultural shifts caused by the realization that the disease was both a blood born and STD agent allowed for the gay community to shed some of its blame for the disease. While the increased awareness has its benefits, the gay community is still often used as the scapegoat for the pathogen.  Not only for the pathogen, but like the jews of the black death, many christian organizations still view the community as a source of “godly punishment”, using HIV AIDS as an excuse for increased discrimination.