The poisonous seed was planted by Goldwater, it was watered and nurtured by Nixon, it bloomed under Reagan, and Trump lighted it on fire and spread it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx94yMKBlFk&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVhwQ5Nwt30
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Eisenhower was the last decent Republican POTUS. Although he called himself conservative and said some negative things about organized science and technology, today, he would be a liberal:
"Now it is true that I believe this country is following a dangerous trend when it permits too great a degree of centralization of governmental functions. I oppose this–in some instances the fight is a rather desperate one. But to attain any success it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything–even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon “moderation” in government. Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas.4 Their number is negligible and they are stupid."
https://teachingamericanhistory.org/.../letter-to-edgar.../
" - - - we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist."
https://en.wikipedia.org/.../Eisenhower%27s_farewell_address
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office."
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed"
"This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect."
"Here in America, we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."
"Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage."
"Don't join the book burners. Do not think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they ever existed."
and, finally, "Only Americans can hurt America."
https://www.brainyquote.com/.../dwight-d-eisenhower-quotes
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Ironically, Goldwater hit it out of the park with THIS quote:
“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”
