Socialism and conservatism SHOULD be highly opposed. Unfortunately the political paradigm has shifted so far left then when a conservative "finds common ground" with the far far far left (most of the democrat party) the resulting legislation is leftist. For example instead of reforming social security the conservative position should be getting rid of social security. Instead of crowing about the sunset of the "assault" weapons bill conservatives should be pushing for the repeal of all gun control laws. Welfare shouldn't be reformed...it should be scrapped. You can oppose a far left position and still be on the left.
Ironically the Dems are self destructing because they have gone so far left. Most Americans still have an unhealthy view of communists and that is what the dems are at this point. Conservatives have to maintain the ideology of the constitution in order to take back America and shut down the socialist experimentation.
You can oppose a far left position and still be on the left. Well put. But it may be worth noting that the far left is so all divided (always has been), that it makes the disorganized right look like a military regiment. Being such, it can be argued that their are no far left positions, their are only the more moderate left wing positions.