WHY didn't the Republicans push more of the conservative agenda while they were in power?
957624
God only knows. They failed to act in the way, in the fashion that got them a majority in congress in the first place.\n\nFiscal responsibility? Pffffft! Out the window!\nReform social security? Pffffft! Out the window!\nEtc.\n\nIt was not their conservative-ness that got them fired by the people - it was their failure to be conservative, their failure to have and follow a cohesive conservative plan.\n\nAfter all, as was demonstrated, if the people wanted squishy big-government, drunken-sailor spending and socialism, they'll vote Democrat.
1064933
Because it doesn't fit the republican whacko agenda,that's why.
897329
The checks and balances of our governmental system will not allow them to do this unilaterally.  The can apply pressure and have more ability to control the debates on what will be done but they still do not have the 2/3 to 3/4 majority needed to do things by themselves, they will need Republican cooperation.
706222
It depends on what you mean.\n\nSee, when the Democrats were in control, they did whatever they wanted without any concern for what the other side wanted. When the Republicans took control and tried to reach across the aisle, the Democrats filibustered so that nothing could happen.\n\nSo, based on past experience, I would not reach across the aisle. When they were in control, they made no effort to consider the "minority" opinion. I'd be happy to return the favor.\n\n.
793509
Basic conservative mindset. The strength of conservatives is that they tend to operate in a more organized, coherent, and group-minded fashion. \n\nLiberals tend to be more creative, more flexible, and as a result, often come up with different ideas about how to solve a problem. Since most Democrats are liberal to one degree or another, that also shows through in the lack of coherence in the Democratic party.\n\nThe only question is, can the all at least reach consensus about specific issues, and thus be able to accomplish those tasks? Time will tell.
1170996
Quite frankly,its not an everyday Republican or a Democrat that is always in the headlines.Its people like Bible thumpers on the right and hippies so stoned out of their minds to know what they are protesting that get the headlines.I am a Republican.Not because I am ultra conservative,but I see them as a class of action and ideas.They are proclaimed as the group who listens to nobody but really all they do is listen and actually act upon it.I am a firm beleiver in the powers that be work for us,not us for them.So when something is wrong.It seems the right is more of the party not afraid to get some dirt on the hands to help while others sit there still trying to find something wrong with what my side is doing.Im not all for my side.Alot of bad people in it and I know that.The President is not one of them to my notion.It is his staff in which he trust too much and have got him into alot of thick water.All political areas have their own agendas,but it just seems the Republicans are actually more in line with what matters rather than what gets you the most face time on CNN or Fox news.
1045963
Who knows?  It seems most Republicans are in the pockets of Big Business, but is that because they are Republican, conservative, or simply because they are in power?  If you believe the latter, then there is little hope, as those in control will be bought by Big Business (unless some balance between Democrats and Republicans is created where no one clearly controls the government).  If you believe the former, then the Republicans will most likely stay in power since their campaigns are well-funded by Big Business.  The system perpetuates itself.
1166763
Because when ever a bill is written supporting giving more power to a minority group or removing restrictions because of being a minority, almost always it is a liberal democrat behind the change.  Republicans are typically conservative, and the definition of conservative is to resist change.
801170
What several have listed are actually conservative ideals.  The republican party is closer to conservatism than the present democrat party, but still not conservative.   Oddly, the democrats in the day of JFK were more conservative than the republican party is today.\n\nUnfortunately the democrat party has gone off the left end of the spectrum and the republicans are heading there too.   We probably need a strong conservative third party if we want to save this country.
354571
Republican conrolled government.
1043536
You can make the same argument about the Conservatives being stuck in the 50's.  Each faction (Cons and Libs) are stereotyped into a certain ideology that is compared to a way of thinking or political movement of a past era.  I consider myself a moderate Republican.  As such, I have as much in common with the far left as I do with the far right.  To me, both factions are "behing the times".  We live in a rapidly changing world and Liberals need to realize, just as Conservatives do, that their views and ideology are no longer embraced by the majority of the country. \n\nAnd just to add a comment, Conservatives want your money just as much as Liberals...the difference is that Liberals want to give it to the poor and/or less fortunate via government programs wheras Conservatives want to give it to the poor and/or less fortunate via religious institutions.  Same goal, just different ways of doing it.
973217
"Didn't they foresee the tables could get turned?"\n\nNo. There are 2 kinds of Republicans. One type has a one fiscal quarter horizon arising out of business mentality of looking mostly at immediate results, and short term profits. A few knocks on the head will cure these guys. The other, infinitely more dangerous type, fully expected to make this a one party nation.
95305
I think one answer might be that the US Republican party-- one of the furthest right promonent political parties in the developed world-- has a very strong rhetorical advantage. The US has been convinced that the republicans are the party of morality. As a person of faith I have often been told that my left-leaning political views are abhorrant to God. The communities of faith have been convinced that they are part of conservative america and are afraid to step out of line. \nIt may also be the strong emphasis on Security in our post 9-11 world. to stay secure we often forfit many of our political powers to a stronger government, short-sightedly\n\nhope this adds some insight :)
703130
It's a paradigm issue. Democrats tend to believe in the social contract, that we are stronger as a nation when we empower each other and conduct our government for broad social benefit rather than for individual benefit. Republicans, on the other hand, operate from a lower level of human development where individual empowerment means "survival of the fittest", "a sucka's born every minute", "dominion over the planet means plunder rather than guardianship", "them first so that their "superior" genes survive", genecide, rigging elections, lying and torture are ok if it means their survival" sort of reasoning and so-called "values". They have never believed in the American Dream. Since the beginning of this democracy, the dream to be free and have a fair chance has been under attack by the Conservative's belief system. Republicans and Conservatives do not believe in the U.S. Constitution, unless it serves their self-interests. They have never been real Americans. Real Americans believe in free speech. Conservatives do not. Real Americans look out for each other's rights in our pluralistic society. Conservatives do not. Conservatives do not care for anyone but themselves and their own viewpoints, their own religions, their own bank accounts. That is their platform. They would have the rest of us put down like animals or enslaved if they could get away with it. They are not believers in the common good. They plunder, even from the weak. They do not care about their own neighbors or their own communities or people who are different than they are. They prefer to live in gated communities and build massive fences and walls. They relentlessly strive to disenfranchise as many people from the American Dream as possible. They fought against Americans who wanted slavery abolished. They fought against black Americans who wanted to vote. They fought against female Americans who wanted to vote. They fought against Americans who wanted to keep church and state separate. They fought against older and disabled Americans who wanted American public restrooms and sidewalks to accomodate wheelchairs. They fought against American workers who wanted a decent minimum wage and a forty-hour work week. They fight to this day against poor people by refusing to raise the minimum wage yet voting themselves raises in legislative bodies. They fought against American children and forced them to work like slaves in factories and mines. They fought against American children and spent our money making arms dealers rich while taking money away from the public school system. They fought against working American mothers who needed equal pay and decent childcare. They fought against hungry American babies and slashed preschool nutrional programs for the poor. They fought against pregnant poor Americans and slashed prenatal care programs. They fought against American healthcare professionals who were struggling to stop the spread of AIDS and they blocked the distribution of condoms that would have saved millions of American lives. They fought against American homosexuals who wanted to be able to rent a house or an apartment and live together in peace. They fought against American police organizations that pleaded for a ban on the guns that slaughter police officers and over 40,000 Americans every year. They fought against Americans who tried to protect the environment and people from pollution and poisons that are being put in the air and water, by conservatives, mostly. They fought against every American in court who has struggled to protect our freedom of speech. They fight against Americans who want the Internet to remain free. They fight against Americans who want peace and they fight to protect their right to profit from war. They fought against a common ground like this Yahoo site, a common ground where people from all tribes and nations of the world could gather and share ideas and
118607
No.  There is no party that is truly conservative anymore.  We can't even protect our borders. We can't even win in Iraq.  Why?  Politics.  I am from the political standpoint of Winston Churchill.  He crushed his enemies with brute force.  He was considered on the fringe of the right in his time but if he was Prime Minister from the start rather than Neville Chamberlain, Hitler would have been stopped rather than appeased.  I urge anyone who considers themselves to be a republican to read Churchill's biography.  Find out how a true conservative thought.  He did nothing short of save this world.
880417
I'm not a republican.  Every day I consider myself more of an independent.  Republicans do not have the corner on blindness.  Labelling is not helping anyone.  My guess is that many republicans truly wanted to improve the lot in life for many in the middle east and elsewhere.  They were frustrated and wanted to confront murderous fanaticism.  They, like many of the majority, were misguided and not well enough versed in history to understand what we were getting into.  The real question is how do we make something decent come out of this horrible situation?  Education,  focus, open discussion, sheer will and avoiding cynicism (like we're doing now).  Merry Christmas!
767549
I think the Republican party needs a reform. Currently, they seem to be no different than the Democrats. They are moving more towards the political left and are becoming more of a moderate organization rather than the strong conservative party they used to be during the days of the Reagan administration.