Much of the problem seems to derive from the fact there are different types of conservatives. Social, fiscal, government, Constitutional come to mind. And while a “true” conservative would hopefully encompass all, in reality, they seldom do.
After getting in many debates, I realized I was often debating individual issues, and not the underlying principles. In fact, I am amazed by today's liberals who have taken a tradition of tolerance and open mindedness and turned it into an intolerant, almost fascist one.
When I was growing up, we at first had only radio. Wonderful period. Then television arrived with just a few channels and we were still pretty homogeneous. Now we have cable and satellite and, worse to my way of thinking, programs in languages other than English. We are becoming so segmented that we are even turning against those who in years past would have been in our same tent.
It has generally been the case that it takes a threat from the outside to unite us. 9-11 did briefly. Unfortunately, and I blame the government for this, we have not been adequately shown the threats that we need to unite against.
lainie, it is late and I am sleepy. Bet you could tell by the way I started drifting off into doublespeak. I just really wanted to return the compliment and say you were right, too.
Good night, fellow FReeper.