The term conservative itself is somewhat meaningless if not juxtaposed with progressive.
It has been my experience that people who identify as conservative are really stating that they are principle-driven in their political reasoning.
They would more accurately be called libertarian or constitutionalist in many cases, essentially lovers of what America was founded upon - individual-based freedom and strictly limited central government.
Trump is neither of the latter two things. To the extent he demonstrates any solid conviction to principle it is in old fashioned nationalism.
Nothing inherently bad about loving your country in general. It's certainly better than border-less one-worldism of the Left. But nationalist principle does not define the relationship between individuals and the government.
Socialists sometimes do the nationalism thing too - as we all recall WWII. Not that I'm making the dreaded N-word comparisons here. Just pointing out that being a nationalist might be fine, but it says nothing about a candidate's respect for my God-given Freedoms. Nor for our nation's other founding principles and documents.
On the other hand, proclaiming that health care and education are primary functions of the central government does show a profound disrespect for those founding principles.
I don't think Trump is a liberal socialist in the same sense as Hillary or Bernie. But in the sense that he does not possess or profess the Freedom-oriented libertarian / constitutionalist principles which would prevent him from considering some of their big-government ideas as somehow good.
Trump believes in the rule of men. As opposed to the rule of law. For example, he doesn't oppose Obamacare as he should on the principles of individual liberty, limited central government, etc. He just thinks it's designed / implemented by the wrong men.
Again, even with all his flaws and his often nebulous basis for his positions, I am voting for him. The fact that he is not today grounded in original American principles is worrisome to those of us who still value them. However, the fact that he clearly does seem to wish well for America is a great step forward from Obama.
again that is well reasoned. I disagree on your conclusion regarding Trump’s position regarding obamacare. Let me explain why. He is for the repeal of obamacare and replacement with competitive based insurance offered across state lines. He know that we must have a program for the indigent as perhaps we have now with emergency room care. Actually, I like the idea of national health care for the disadvantaged because the doctors would be salaried and we could buy in bulk— If you want better care — go pay for it — you choose.
I really am lost at your perception that Trump is adverse to limitation of individual liberty and let me cite his success in business. He is for the return of education to the community level. His entire life has been in the liberty of entrepreneurship. I see no statist in him. I abhor the taking of our liberty ( or even more of it) . What greater position of liberty than to abolish the EPA? I would agree that he is not a purist but that hardly makes him a promoter of the “Rule of men” over the rule of law. An example is his “rule of law “ bent is immigration. Obama is the “rule of Men”” by unconstitutional proclamation. Trump merely want to enforce the rules that are already in the Law.
I enjoyed the discussion and you thoughts. Take care.