[Dracian]

It's a mixed bag here. There are lots of "conservatives" who want the state to enforce a fundamentalist Christian lifestyle. That's not really the "conservatism" of the founders of this republic who wanted a seperation of church and state.

Limited government used to be the defining characteristic of the conservatives. But very few modern conservatives are trying to limit government -- rather they are trying to redirect government and grow it in other areas that suit their lifestyles.

Libertarians are well hated by both big government conservatives and liberals, since libertarians are consistenly for limited governments.

[antisocial]

"That's not really the "conservatism" of the founders of this republic who wanted a seperation of church and state."

Can you back that statement up? The only founder that mentioned the separation of church and state was Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists.

[highball]

Limited government used to be the defining characteristic of the conservatives. But very few modern conservatives are trying to limit government -- rather they are trying to redirect government and grow it in other areas that suit their lifestyles.

An excellent point, and one worth repeating.

Too many "conservatives" have decided that they don't care how big the government gets, so long as the government enforces their particular preferences. It's sad.