One point you hit obliquely is that Conservatism has failed to establish itself as “the Center”... That is, CONSERVATISM is resistance to change. Whether resisting change to left or the right, conservatism is the centrist position...in a sane world. It maintains the focus on the individuals’ rights, resisting against attempts to control society one direction or the other.
That’s why the opposite of liberals’ judicial activism is not conservative judicial activism—because that, in and of itself, is not “conservative.”
Because conservatives have not established this, we find the ratchet-effect...that is, the libs moves the pendulum left, while the conservatives get corresponding movement back (reactionary movement).
Note, also, that FR itself is a “rogue” element in conservatism, which has a long-standing history of promoting non-interventionism, fiscal responsibility, Constitutionalism, etc.
True Constitutional conservatism is rare these days...and I fear the Republic’s days are numbered.
Because conservatives have not established this, we find the ratchet-effect...that is, the libs moves the pendulum left, while the conservatives do not get corresponding movement back (reactionary movement).
A LOT of it is that the media has been succsessful at repositioning conservatives as a “hate-group”, in the same way as they have done to Christians.
“Conservative” is now a nasty word that means beer-guzzling, bible-thumping rednecks driving pickups with Confederate flags looking for blacks to run over on the way to the NASCAR race...
And anyone who dares to stand against the “Gay Civil Rights” agenda is a “hate-group” now, doncha know...