As promised, I am rolling out the article here and starting a new thread titled "Why I am a Republican" by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
http://able2know.org/topic/144183-1
I believe it amply demonstrates that Eisenhower was a solid conservative, contrary to what some have insinuated here. I am going to quote the entire article on the new thread dedicated to that article, but I will also quote some of the highlights of Eisenhower's conservative political philosophy here. I would also like to say that I think Eisenhower has been one of the greatest Americans ever, and one of our greatest presidents. Through the article, I think his heartland common sense attitude comes through loud and clear, an unsophisticated man of simple common sense from Kansas that was first an American, then a conservative with solid moral values and good judgement, and then a Republican for all the reasons he cites in the article, and I think all the reasons still are true and could be applied in today's political atmosphere. He speaks of the importance of the individual and the need to limit government, which is still just as applicable today as ever, if not moreso.
Here are a few key quotes:
To me the key items of political faith that should always continue to be an inspiring guide to sound political action for any thoughtful citizen are:
1. Abiding faith in the individual. To believe that the essential unit in our democracy is the individual, not any group or class, and that the preservation of our form of government depends in the final analysis on respect o the individual's rights, initiative, judgement and opportunities.
2. Limited powers of government. To believe that the people themselves should retain all powers and responsibilities not specifically delegated to the Government. As Abraham Lincoln defined it, "The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do, for themselves in their separate and individual capacities. In all the people can individually do as well for themselves, the government ought not to interfere." (I quote Lincoln not only because h has been the patron saint of the Republican Party from its beginning but also because modern Democrats are trying to steal him from us to capitalize on the reverence in which America holds his name.)
3. Freedom and Equality. Born in the bitter struggle to give flesh-and-blood reality to the American doctrine that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights , the Republican party never has wavered in its belief that freedom and equality are the right of all Americans. It was the Republican Party, led by Lincoln, which freed the Negro from slavery and secured amendments to the Constitution assuring every citizen of his political rights, regardless of race. It was the Republican Party which in 1957 succeeded in getting through Congress the first civil-rights legislation since the Reconstruction era after the Civil War.
4. National Unity. Since its beginnings the Republican Party has stoutly resisted any and all forces which might divide our nation by class, region, racial ancestry or economic interest. we are not for or against any minority of any kind. We are for every individual, whatever his ethnic, social or economic background, who enjoys the priceless privilege of United States citizenship.
5. World Responsibility. The Republican party has aided the United States in meeting its global responsibilities in hte spirit of the nation's enlightened self-interest; that is, not on the basis of mere do-goodism, but for the security and welfare of our own country within the family of free nations.
