When did conservatism become synonymous with interference in private lives?

Question

In poli-sci 101, you learn that the traditional ideal of American conservatives is to minimize government interference in private lives. It now seems that those affiliating with conservatism now, however, want to propose legislation such as gay marriage bans, anti-sodomy laws (we had them recently in Texas, not sure about elsewhere), and anti-abortion laws.

Has the definition of conservative shifted that much or are these people simply using the name "conservative" to try and attract a voter base?

Answer 1

The liberal Rockefeller wing of the Republican party killed conservatism in the Goldwater era, and quickly quelled an uprising of potential conservatives in the Reagan administration. Conservatism has been pretty well hidden in the closet like a mad aunt in a Victorian novel, but the term is useful, so it's been co-opted. And most conservatives see the Libertarian party as a forlorn hope.
By the way, the same has happened on the other side. Peabrains and panderers are giving liberalism a bad name, too.

Answer 2

The Anti-sodomy laws in texas were on the books from years ago, i dont think anyone takes that kinda thing seriously.
the whole gay marriage thing is about the government recognition of something, not about privacy or private lives. Abortion is viewed by most pro lifer's as the same thing as murder, so they want to ban it for the same reason murder is banned.

now dont confuse conxervatives with republicans because the republicans are not very conservative anymore. Nor have they been pandering to the religious right, they are pandering to the media and what they think is the moderate independant vote

Answer 3

well for each thing has repercussions larger than itself

anti abortion is the obvious one....
and the question of wether life is conception or birth , unborn rights, right to choose or right ot life.. until we better ourselves as a society this question will remain untill no unwanted childern are conceived.

Gay marriage has a lot of twists and turns also...
Adoption being a large one in it....wether its detrimental or not on a child to be raised in a gay family (both at home and how society) Religious aspects are still at odds

Anti sodomy laws have been around forever... and in most places tehy are getting lessened.. but i am sure it stems from the gay issue, Not pro or anyi gay here, I do my thing you do your thing, just neither of us flaunt it in public, personal beliefs are what ever goes on behind closed doors wether it be the bedroom, the kitchen, the dining room table do as you will but just not in the middle of the street.

one also muust think since the liberals have embraced some of these causes also the opposition must also find a home to go to

Answer 4

The anti abortion thing started with fighting abortions being paid for with tax dollars. If you truly believe abortion is murder then you definitely want a law against it.
The sodomy laws are for when a rapist or child molester is arrested they can throw the book at them. Most Americans want to protect children and women it's just that social conservatives are noticed more for it.
Republicans in Washington have made a mistake and they have 2 years to make up for it.

Answer 5

Well, I think that conservatives would be remiss in their duties if they claimed that all private acts should be ignored by the government. The U.S. government -- to the extent that its purpose is, in part, to maintain the integrity of the American spirit -- ought to scrutinize certain human actions.

Some argue that homosexuality and sodomy ought to be exempt from criticism so long as they take place between consenting adults -- though it remains unclear why the consent of children is unacceptable. That is to say, we freely allow two men to engage in sodomy, but we draw the line at sodomy between, say, a 65-year-old man and and his 10-year-old, consenting grandson. If preteens are capable of receiving "sexuality education" and free to select whatever sexual orientation pleases them at the moment, it remains unclear why they are not free to engage in incestuous sodomy.

In my opinion, consenting adults (and children) are not necessarily free to engage in unrestricted behavior if their lifestyle harms the character of a society.

Answer 6

Actually conservatism is synonymous with keeping the government out of our private lives.

The liberals have twisted this all up. Untwist the issues, and you will see that the liberals are trying to get federal funding for abortion, and trying to create a new protected class of people--homosexuals.

Answer 7

Great question. Also conservatives were originally backed the idea that we kept to ourselves and didn't interfere with world politics. I think G.W. has definitely seen an end to that. I think the party has entrenched itself so deeply with the religious right that does believe you have a right to stare in people bedrooms cause they don't want no sinners round here and should be able to force their agenda on you that the party ideal have long been lost.

Answer 8

Conservatives do not intrude on private lives at all. If what you're talking about is the patriot act, it only calls for searching the residences of TERRORISTS and tapping their phones - FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR COUNTRY! So next time you try making a snide remark about people who are trying to keep you safe, why don't you think twice. All they're doing is trying to bypass all the bureaucracy to be able to do their job more efficiently when it comes to fighting terror.

Answer 9

Kinda reminds me of the Shaivo (sp) case. Republicans will interefere with private lives out of fear!

Answer 10

the definition you are talking about is more fiscal. And the conservative comparison you are bringing up is social, no longer fiscal