I’m not totally sure I’m following where you are going with that. Would appreciate a little more explanation of what you are getting at so I can try to respond.
Are you just saying maybe even the word “conservative” has been kind of corrupted, means a lot of things to a lot of people and we shouldn’t even try using that word?
Rather, just (if you are talking about a new party), instead of saying we are “conservative”, just say THIS is what we stand for a list out the platform, where the party stands on various issues, and how we intend to keep anyone running under the “Freedom Party” banner accountable to that? (Maybe the word “Constitutional” is better. I am very, very conservative personally, but I want my government to abide by the constitution, while allowing me the freedom through my personal life and church to promote conservative causes.
And, at least for me, for the one issue of adoption you mentioned, no, I don’t agree with government giving money to adoption promoting programs. I am totally pro adoption, but don’t want the government in any part of it. That’s not government’s job.
Don’t know if that answers your question or not - again, not sure I’m following where you were going with that.
I wasn't challenging your definition of "conservatives," I was trying to make the point that for some folks, simply being anti-abortion is "conservative," such as Santorum, considered by many a "conservative" though he would use government, in that example I gave, in a way that you and I both agree is the antithesis of "conservative."
The real elephant in the room is that conservatives and libertarian-minded Americans need to unite. I think that many self-described conservatives exclude as "non-conservative" those who do NOT want the Federal government to be in the business of marriage, "wars" against consequences of moral failings such as drug abuse and obesity, and abortion. A libertarian in principle would automatically be for the overthrow of Roe v. Wade, but may not be for a Federal law outlawing abortion. There are conservatives who would therefore reject any alliance with libertarians becase by their definition, "conservatives" want Federal law to outlaw abortion.
It's tangled and thorny. Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses. I don't pretend to have the answers. I do know that more of the same -- voting for Republican liberals instead of Democrat liberals -- is the wrong answer.