My How Things Have Changed

Submitted by: Mike Spindell, guest blogger

eisenhower saying

goldwater saying

One of the sad lessons one learns, if they live long enough, is that permanency is an illusion. There was a time when most Conservatives in the United States actually cared about the country and its’ people. It’s not that I’m wistful for some bygone era that exists only in my mind, because I’m well aware that the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s were tumultuous times for many including myself.  Nor do I have any great love for Dwight Eisenhower and/or Barry Goldwater who I did not vote for in 1964. Yet with all their conservative beliefs, these were men who actually understood something about the needs of people and the motives of some who would call themselves religious leaders. Many of us who have lived long lives remember when the public political discussion in this country contained actual, factual debate, containing depth of ideas, rather than the invective we hear today. The Republicans of the Eisenhower era understood that there was a social contract that existed in this country to ensure that there was a healthy, financially flourishing Middle Class, which is the engine that drives a prosperous modern society. Also  Barry Goldwater, who was known as “Mr. Conservative” understood the danger that the Religious hucksters had for his party and the necessity of politicians to compromise. He would ridicule those prominent politicians in his party who would reject the ideas of evolution and blind themselves to science. He also really did believe that government had no business prying into essentially private matters. I disagreed with him on most things, but I at least could respect him, which I can’t do for many prominent politicians of today.

What happened?  You know I’ve written about my theories in many of my guest blogs, what are yours?

70 thoughts on “My How Things Have Changed”

  1. Of course liberals are also Christian, but I think Conservatives embrace that fundamentalist “turn it over to Christ” mindset more enthusiastically.

    1. “The same mindset is in the Christian conservative religion; which encourages people to turn their entire life over to Christ to manage for them as He sees fit.”

      Tony,

      This is why almost all fundamentalists are conservative in political outlook. Also I understood your Ron Paul position and its nuances.

  2. @Mike: The same mindset is in the Christian conservative religion; which encourages people to turn their entire life over to Christ to manage for them as He sees fit. It seems to me they do not want autonomy; they want to be told what to do, how to act, and what to believe, replete with the justification they are just following orders and doing what they’ve been told to do by the man in charge. If you don’t like it, go talk to him.

    I am not sure why people want that, or if there is even a reason people want that. Perhaps it is just an emotional predisposition to prefer that role.

  3. A Greek friend of mine observed in 1991 that the American “Left” was to the right of the European “Right.” HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

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