If being a conservative means marching in lock step with people like you, then no, I am not a conservative. What is more, I have no desire to become one.
This leaves me in a quandary. I am a fanatical free market advocate. I have never voted democratic in my life. I argued so vociferously with a philosophy professor on a number of topics that he called me into his office and paid me a backhanded compliment of saying "you have one of the brightest and narrowest minds I have ever seen, but I am really tired of you trying to convert me away from progressive thought." To which I replied, "I just can't help it Dr. XXXX, I have an inherent aversion to untidy thought. I have to argue with you or drink to alleviate the stress. Do you want my alcoholism on your conscience the rest of your life, or shall I buy you a beer and you just let me bitch at you in class?" I was one of the founders of a local metro right to life organizations back when the only people standing up for this were the Roman Catholics (1978). I was actually fired from my job(I was planning to quit anyway) for mocking "sensitivity training"...see here for the free republic post on that story. I have spoken at a number of conservative functions, and introduced Republican Congressmen and Senators to planned fundraisers.
I am overwhelmed with shame to know that despite all that effort (and more) that I am not a "true" conservative. What is more, I do not know how to affiliate myself. Clearly I am not "conservative" because I don't advocate deporting 14 million plus people as the only solution to our border problem. What is more, I am clearly a heretic because I believe some of these folks are (dare I say it?) "GOOD PEOPLE" (Gasp!). Clearly nothing remains for me but to be burned at the stake. Perhaps you could preside over my excommunication and expulsion from "conservativism"? Wouldn't that be dandy?