Since Reagan, conservatism on the political level has been about chatting up smaller government and reducing entitlements. Not only did none of that happen, but companies have been leaving this country in droves since the mid nineties, all with the blessing of the Republican party. If that wasn't bad enough, we have been flooding the country with legal and illegal third world immigrants.
In short, to be a good conservative Republican all you needed to do is talk about less government while wearing a shield of professed morality. American first hasn't been an issue since Reagan.
Exactly America first with Trump!
>>In short, to be a good conservative Republican all you needed to do is talk about less government while wearing a shield of professed morality. American first hasn’t been an issue since Reagan.<<
That is just one great point out of a totally on-target post.
The conservative catechism is not even internally consistent, since it has often been accompanied by increased military spending and even social spending. Only the libertarians are somewhat consistent, and that leaves them as useful idiots for the globalists (i.e., weaken military, open borders, so-called Free Trade).
The GOPe NEVER puts America first, and neither does the NR crowd or, sadly, most of the 2016 candidates. They put the catechism first . . . FOR WHAT I ASK YOU!? What is the benefit of small government if it means LOSING AMERICA? This is INSANE.