Why have the Republicans become liberal?

Question

Since nobody answered it the first time...

"The reason the left prefers the neocon “right” to a paleo alternative is, quite simply, that the neocons are essentially of the left themselves and, thus, provide a fake opposition against which the rest of the left can shadowbox and thereby perpetuate its own political and cultural hegemony unchallenged by any authentic right." - Leo Strauss

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoconservative_-_Paleoconservative_Conflict

Whether or not you or I agree with the below statements is not the point, I'm just trying to show how the Republican party now has liberal aspects to it:

-Generating the largest national debt/deficit in history
-Expanding government powers to control issues such as gay marriage and abortion (while Republicans may be opposed to allowing those issues, only a liberal ideology would entail expanding the government to control them)
-Expanding medicare
-Stronger government

-Attempts to reduce states' rights by making marriage a federal issue
-Interventionist foreign policy (although with the spectre of terrorism may be necessary)
-Strengthening of religious values within government, and hence government attempts to control morality

Answer 1

I am a Republican and would NEVER become a liberal. You will just have to take my word on that.

Answer 2

I'll just comment on one of your issues as I think your understanding is falacious. Republicans support giving the states the right to establish marriage guidelines. If gay marriage was put to a vote, it would be voted down in every single state, in most by overwhelming margin. The far left knows this, so has taken to using left wing activist judges to deny the will of the people. Even in liberal California, a ballot initiative on gay marriage was rejected by almost 70%.

It is only because of these activist judges that republicans on the federal level have reluctantly decided they have to do something to preserve the will of the people.

Answer 3

How so? If that were genuine, there might want to be no reason behind Arlen Specter to illness to the Democrats. If I remember wisely, the present Republican administration in Congress is stacked with hardcore conservatives (Cantor & Boehner in the abode, McConnell in the Senate). because the election of Obama, the GOP has taken a added slant to the right, thereby marginalizing themselves added out of the political mainstream. "Doin' a heckuva job there!". ;-)

Answer 4

Ultimate power, corrupts ultimately.

When they were out of power (pre 1994) it was easy to talk about smaller government. However, once they got into power (1994 congress, 2000 president) they began acting like politicians. In other words, they started bribing their constituents with social spending to get re-elected.

I think we need a Constitutional amendment banning social spending. It's the only way to keep politicians from using tax payer money to pay for votes.

Answer 5

Neoconservatives are not part of a political party... its an ideology...one that most Democrats reject..and they are far more likely to attach themselves with the right then the left.
As we clearly see in Bush's foreign policy.
Neocons Vs. Realists

Answer 6

The Republican Party has always had liberal elements in it. Back in the 1860's it was THE liberal party.

Answer 7

Part of it may be the rejection by US voters as to where the party was going towards, but it would be very difficult to portray the GOP as going "liberal"