Okay, but, how do people who choose to be conservative, in terms of their own self understanding, fail to grasp the notion of freedom as an individual versus collective right. Liberals believe the government has a right to intrude because it protects a greater collective right. Conservatives are reluctant to endorse any government intrusion of individual freedom. Data mining does not bother me. Common sense tells me it is a security matter and I can live with the Courts authorizing this intrusion into my affairs. What bothers me is conservatives not recognizing how challenging a test this is for us.
Because under this new definition of “conservatism” rights are collective, not individual, and government isn’t the problem, it is the answer. It’s the same old New Deal/Great Society crap under a new name. In government New Speak old fashioned socialism in compassionate conservatism.