OCCOM BILL wrote:
Btw: Extremist positions that drive independents away are the far Right's desires to:
Make abortion illegal.
Deport over 10 million people.
Prevent stem cell research.
Outlaw Gay marriage and even civil unions.
Do you think Eisenhower would have approved abortion? I don't know any conservatives who consider that a conservative plank in the 'doctrine' however. There is a large difference between being pro life, which conservatives may or may not be, and making abortion illegal.
Do you think Eisenhower would have approved open borders or making just about everybody a citizen who managed to get through border security? I can't imagine he would have taken that position. Conservatives do not see deportation of 10+ million illegals as the only option. Most are willing to make our immigration laws more friendly, but are opposed to any form of amnesty.
Do you think Eisenhower would have approved federal funding for stem cell research> (I rather doubt he would have.) There is a huge difference between choosing what it is and is not appropriate for the feds to fund and outlawing stemcell research. I see nothing in the conservative 'doctrine' that suggests that stemcell research should be outlawed.
As there was absolutely no suggestion to change the defintiion of marriage in Eisenhower's day, it is difficult to say exactly how the debate would have gone in the 1950's but I'm pretty sure gays would have had a far more difficult time with it then than they are having with it now. Conservatives are opposed to changing the defintion of marriage. Gay activist, however, would have almost certainly be labeled extreme should have have pushed that in Eisenhower's day. I think the conservative position now is to make some kind of provision to help everybody, straight, gay, or in between, who for whatever reason do not wish to marry or can't marry receive some of the benefits inherent in the marriage contract.
Sorry, but I just can't see how that is extreme. Probably would be considered extreme in Eisenhower's day, however.