Yes, that was indeed a long, long time ago. Now, there are two parties engaged in growing the federal government, one that admits it, and one that claims to be conservative.
The era of limited government has been over for some time now.
Not much, but then, the choices are (1) let the banks fail, (2) let the banks fail while giving them a ton of taxpayer money, and (3) attempt to bring the banks back to financial health by giving them money, but regulating how they spend it.
No one in the government seems to be in favor of 1. The previous administration was in favor of 2. This one seems to be in favor of 3. Whether any of the three will actually work, or make things worse, is a matter of debate.
Yes, absolutely. Has been dead and buried for decades now.
