The Reagan administration was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic because it initially affected homosexual men and drug users. The administration faced pressure from Christian fundamentalist groups who viewed AIDS as divine punishment. These groups had political influence and argued against funding AIDS research and education. As a result, the administration squandered valuable time in the early years of the epidemic. The lack of education led to the spread of fear and misinformation among the public. Many with AIDS were stigmatized and reluctant to seek testing or treatment as a result.

1. Thesis: The Reagan administration lost valuable time because it moved much too slow in responding to the AIDS epidemic. Paragraph #2: The government did not respond because it affected a small amount of people who were homosexual men and drug users. Fact#1 from article: Analysis Fact #2 from article: Analysis Paragraph #3 The disease was new and there were few experts in the field. Fact #1 From article Analysis Fact #2 from article Analysis Paragraph #1: The Christian Fundamentalists put pressure on the Reagan administration not fund AIDS like other diseases.

2. Paragraph #1 The Christian Fundamentalists put pressure on the Reagan administration not fund AIDS like other diseases. In these early years, the Reagan administration squandered valuable time in researching the disease and educating the public. The administration in power is always beholden to the special interest groups that help get them elected and the Reagan administration owed a great deal to the conservative fundamentalists. When the AIDS epidemic hit the United States these fundamentalists were extremely vocal.. They were quick to attack saying that AIDS was a punishment for those living an immoral lifestyle. "The poor homosexuals--they have declared war upon nature, and now nature is exacting an awful retribution," wrote conservative newspaper columnist Pat Buchanan . (Discovery and Spread of AIDS) AIDS wasn’t a disease as much as it was moral retribution. These groups had political clout and their own syndicated ministries on radio and television shows. They broadcast their views about the disease that proclaimed AIDS the disease of sinners. According to Michael Doan, a reporter for U.S. News and World Report, Jerry Falwell mailed letters to his loyal followers asking for donations to stage a prime-time television program to spread his AIDS message. They pressured the government not fund education and research for this disease of drug users and homosexuals. The government was also very uncomfortable to talk about sex in any way shape or form. As fear, and prejudice spread through the American population-- so did the epidemic. If the public would have been educated much earlier about the true causes and prevention of AIDS many lives could have been saved.