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(1) Eisenhower’s record on spending. Imagine how much better we would be off today if, beginning in the 1950s, a national consensus had developed that: (a) increases in domestic government spending would be permitted only as the economy and revenues grew; and (b) that the reduction of high tax rates and of regulatory burdens would thereby permit absolute spending increases even as the relative share of government spending stayed the same or decreased.

In any event, Eisenhower era educational spending was mostly for defense related purposes: the GI Bill; the ROTC program; and, especially after Sputnik, for scientific and technical research and training. As for the bad stuff with the Interstate Highway Program, it mostly came in the 1960s and was usually due to direct political interventions initiated by state and local figures.

By way of contrary example, a few years back, I was able to use federal highway officials to help block a bad local toll road project by publicizing their heavy terms for a connection to the local Interstate. This upended much of the claimed justification for the project and eventually helped spur its defeat.

(2) Eisenhower and McCarthy. If you want the name of someone harmed by McCarthy style allegations, here is one, off the top of my head: Cord Meyer. In 1953, Meyer, a decorated Marine who had lost an eye in WW II due to a combat wound, was working for the CIA. A believer in UN style world government, Meyer came under attack by the FBI, which claimed that he was a security risk for having once stood at the same podium as a notorious leftist. Meyer’s security clearance was held up, but an internal CIA inquiry summarily dismissed the claims.

(3) Taft versus MacArthur. Not only was MacArthur not a shrinking violet, but he was vain, sometimes weird and venal, and surrounded by often incompetent sycophants. He would have proven unsuited to public office.

(4) Ike’s Supreme Court appointments. On this, Taft, a brilliant lawyer, would probably have done a better job. Eisenhower seems to have trusted too much to assurances from his aides, associates, and nominees.

"Eisenhower’s record on spending. Imagine how much better we would be off today if, beginning in the 1950s, a national consensus had developed that: (a) increases in domestic government spending would be permitted only as the economy and revenues grew; and (b) that the reduction of high tax rates and of regulatory burdens would thereby permit absolute spending increases even as the relative share of government spending stayed the same or decreased."

One thing was clear: we should've had a Balanced Budget Amendment long ago. Unfortunately, the left wing in this country seems to think massive spending and debt is A-OK. I've talked with some that literally cannot grasp that trillions in debt and far beyond that in unfunded liabilities is even a problem.

"In any event, Eisenhower era educational spending was mostly for defense related purposes: the GI Bill; the ROTC program; and, especially after Sputnik, for scientific and technical research and training. As for the bad stuff with the Interstate Highway Program, it mostly came in the 1960s and was usually due to direct political interventions initiated by state and local figures."

Defense, of course, being one of the few things explicitly spelled out that falls under federal purview. Still, Ike's infamous "military-industrial complex" speech exploded leftist paranoia beyond all comprehension.

"By way of contrary example, a few years back, I was able to use federal highway officials to help block a bad local toll road project by publicizing their heavy terms for a connection to the local Interstate. This upended much of the claimed justification for the project and eventually helped spur its defeat."

Not to say I oppose the highway program, my argument was more to do with placement and being punitive towards poor and Black urban neighborhoods where many were run through. Some of this was done in the name of "urban renewal", which was a federal-led initiative with disastrous consequences and the wholesale loss of viable neighborhoods and irreplaceable architecture.

"If you want the name of someone harmed by McCarthy style allegations, here is one, off the top of my head: Cord Meyer. In 1953, Meyer, a decorated Marine who had lost an eye in WW II due to a combat wound, was working for the CIA. A believer in UN style world government, Meyer came under attack by the FBI, which claimed that he was a security risk for having once stood at the same podium as a notorious leftist. Meyer’s security clearance was held up, but an internal CIA inquiry summarily dismissed the claims."

McCarthy did not explicitly name Meyer, so that doesn't really address what I asked. Meyer was an odd person, anyhow, and that business surrounding the strange murder of his ex-wife who was having an affair with JFK was even more bizarre.

"Not only was MacArthur not a shrinking violet, but he was vain, sometimes weird and venal, and surrounded by often incompetent sycophants. He would have proven unsuited to public office."

Leaders often have their quirks, still nothing to disqualify him from high office. He certainly wouldn't have stood idly by in the 1960 elections as the outgoing President (my hope was that in 1956, President MacArthur would have chosen Dewey's 1944 running mate for VP, Ohio ex-Governor and (by '56) Senator John Bricker, an excellent Conservative. Bricker, sadly, was one of the dozen+ losses in the horrific '58 elections. He'd have made an excellent Conservative President for the 1960s and would've put us on a far different course for the future).

"Ike’s Supreme Court appointments. On this, Taft, a brilliant lawyer, would probably have done a better job. Eisenhower seems to have trusted too much to assurances from his aides, associates, and nominees."

He'd have only had time to appointed Vinson's successor as Chief Justice, perhaps the aforementioned Sen. John Bricker himself, Taft's seatmate. If he had remained until his death, he'd have had a whopping 33 years as Chief Justice (1953-1986).