Eisenhower's position did not depart from Roosevelt's New Deal or Truman's "fair deal" programs to any large degree. Eisenhower's position essentially was not to dismantle what had been done, but going forward, not to introduce further expansive or experimental programs. Eisenhower wanted government to operate in a manageable, responsible way. He vetoed some proposals that would have represented large new expenditures for things of uncertain value, such as a a bill to provide federal assistance funds to depressed areas of the country. At the same time, however, he did pursue national public works projects like the Interstate Highway System which were an extension of the kind of public works measures that had been part of previous administrations. Eisenhower realized that longstanding social policies of the New Deal, such as Social Security, were here to stay as part of the fabric of American life and government.
