“We should have a good talk about what conservatism is, because in FR the terms is slung about a lot, without much attempt at analysis.”
To me, Conservatism is adhering to the Constitution and its intents...it irks me when some here are OK with “bending it a little” because it “makes sense” to them....the Constitution contains no “noble cause” clauses - those who think it does are the reason we’re in the mess we’re in today.
Far too many here have been slowly worn down and brainwashed over the years without even realizing they have betrayed themselves by being “a bit more tolerant” to the PC crowd.
“To me, Conservatism is adhering to the Constitution and its intents.”
Seems kind of a narrow take. Conservatism is a philosophical position, or a series of philosophical structures, world views, attitudes, psychologies. There’s a severe limit to what you can think about within the constraints of the US constitution. Its not going to help you figure out the good, the true, and the beautiful.
A really good start on Conservatism 101 in an American context is “The Conservative Mind”, Russell Kirk