The key point is that the fundamental difference between Conservative ideology and liberal ideology is Conservatives believe in the individual over the system.
For example, if you care about the homeless- if you were a liberal, you would petition the government to do something, if you are Conservative, you just do something yourself. IMHO, Liberalism is the ultimate in apathy- the entire premise is to pass the buck on an issue to someone else (ie, the government.)
Conservatives, on the other hand, are about personal responsibility. If you care about the environment, start by cleaning up your own, don't pass the buck to someone else.
Of course, there are always the proverbial 'widows and orphans' of whom, they have no one to care for them- those truly in need. The problem is that Liberalism tries to make everyone a victim of someone and in 'need' that all the help is spread so thin, there is only pittance left to help those truly in need.
One of the other fundamental basis of Conservatism is government as close to the people as possible. This is why the Constitution limits the federal governments role to mostly security, treaties, and trade matters. All of those little things that affect your day to day life are supposed to be handled 'by the States or the people' (10th Amendment.)
Liberals have a bassackwards view of the Constitution- they believe it grants rights, that is incorrect. The Constitution starts with the assumption that our rights are inherent and limits the government's intrusion on those rights...
I could keep going, but this should supply you with the foundational aspects of the differences. All other 'issues' are just build on these foundations.
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