And here's the semi-sarcastic reason why, from Ruthless Reviews:
Subtext Cinema: E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
I have often wondered whether Spielberg was the knowing Leni Reifenstahl of the Reagan Revolution or simply expressing the ever-increasing selfishness of the thousand year reich of the Baby Boomers which the Goldwater-style Republicans then latched on to. Either way, I want to live long enough to see his cultural impact be wiped away, forgotten or -- best of all -- be held partially responsible for the excesses of his generation.
ASIDE: The mid-80s ALF TV series had even more 'Reagan as alien puppet' subtext, and was the bridge from normal sitcomery to the FOX Network-style reveling in idiocy and squalor of Married With Children, The Simpsons and Family Guy.
