General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When and how did you figure out that American Conservatism was a scam? [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Republican Party wasn't my observation. It was reported by the same conservative scholars who worked to develop an intellectual basis for conservative knee-jerk resistance to change and what is "different." They were unable to stop the corruption and turning of conservative voters away from the ideals they'd tried to inculcate in such a short period.
In contrast, the intellectual basis of liberalism is centuries old and formed the basis for our republic. People of conservative personality don't have that solid foundation for a political belief system that provides worthy ideals supported by their gut feelings.
I did later, once I realized what was happening, watch the purging of the kind of moderate and progressive conservative politicians who worked with Democrats to create the advances of the 1900s, though. I never appreciated the more distinguished Republicans in congress until they were primaried and replaced with today's corrupt and/or extremist betrayers.