How do you define a "Conservative"?

[kentuck]

We know how they define a "Liberal". They have been very successful at corrupting the word and giving it new meaning.

After what this country has experienced with conservatism and "compassionate conservatism" for the last 30 years, how do they still speak with any credibility?

Why do some folks still buy the crap that this is a "conservative" or a "center-right" country after the fornication they have laid upon the American people?

Is that the best we can do?

[cyberswede]

1. John Kenneth Galbraith said

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.”

That works for my definition.

I don't know how the right were so successful at vilifying the word "liberal." It seems like they've been defining the debate for some time. And I also disagree that we're a center-right country. People favor liberal policies when they're not identified as "liberal" (for instance, people support the idea of being able to bargain for better working conditions, as long as you don't mention the word "union.&quot

[T S Justly]

2. Anybody, Republican or Democrat, who stands in the way of progressive Democrats. (nt)

[Ohio Joe]

3. Insane

Bat shit crazy
Demented
Fucked up
Anti-American
Nazi

I could think of some more but you get the idea.

[izquierdista]

4. Intellectually constipated

Can't get the fecal material out of their craniums and replace it with fresh ideas.

[Happyhippychick]

5. This question is exactly the reason the pubes are in disarray.

They can't come to a consensus on what it means, therefore they are in constant bicker mode.

Delicious, isn't it?

[TheKentuckian]

16. Modern Republicans aren't conservative they are Radical, Regressives devoted to setting the

old Wayback Machine to fuedalism.

Conservatives want to maintain the status quo and the existing order.

[DCKit]

19. What you said.

Bring on the Inquisition!!!!

[loyalsister]

6. Entrenched in beliefs

Unwilling to consider possibilities outside of their past experience. Unwilling to explore different ideas and solutions. Rigid.

[gopiscrap]

7. How about

mother fucking, no good, scum sucking, selfish, anal retentive, frothy fecal matter?

[MedicalAdmin]

8. This is how I define it.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. I hope plenty of lube was used.

That could be really painful otherwise

[MedicalAdmin]

21. To paraphrase ST. Frank of Zappa...

... "keep it greasy and it'll go up easy."

[HopeHoops]

9. Tough call. I'm socially and politically liberal but in many ways very conservative.

I don't think there's a catch-all definition for liberal or conservative, or independent for that matter. The general definition is one who adheres to tradition and resists change. That sure as shit didn't cover the shrub - the Bill of Rights was his real enemy, not "terrists".

[dawg]

14. I'm encouraging people not to use the "c" word in any favorable context.

It doesn't mean adhering to tradition and resisting change anymore. They are the ones who want to dramatically change our society.

It certainly doesn't mean fiscally responsible. To them, tax cuts are sarcocanct - to hell with the deficit it it means rich people might have to pay more.

Today, "conservative" has come to mean economic royalist in the U.S. The only constant among those who call themselves conservative is the desire to promote policies that favor the rich and powerful, often, but not always, at the expense of everyone else.

[Raine]

10. Delusional

[dawg]

11. Someone who supports policies that favor the wealthy and powerful.

They only want government to be small when it is regulating big business or providing benefits and protections to the poor and middle-class. When it's projecting military power across the globe, performing illegal surveillance of citizens, or interfering with a woman's reproductive choices, they are fine with big government.

[11 Bravo]

12. One who wants to bet with other people's money, keeps the winnings, but then ...

refuses to pay off when they lose.

[MrScorpio]

13. Someone who cuts off a tree branch while he's using it for support. nt

[morningfog]

15. Politically? In economics they are for increased deregulation, more free market.

Socially, they are for government involvement to protect what they see as morals and values based on antiquated religious views.

But, some people who are very liberal politically may still be conservative in their approach. These folks might be cautious in every aspect of their life, not comfortable with rocking the boat, so to speak.

[Special Prosciuto]

18. So simple:

sanctimonious superstitious scum-sucking shitheads.

[deacon]

20. Extremist. n/t