Until various factions of conservatism realize and accept that there are many meanings of the word conservatism, there will be no party rebuilding (Republican or other parties). They will simply blame each other and claim that their ideas are the ‘pure’ conservatism, while others are not.
I’m sorry, but you’re way too deep for me. That’s like saying there are many meanings to the Ten Commandments.
Political Conservatism means:
1. Fidelity to the US Constitution.
2. State’s rights trump federal rights except in interstate and international matters. That is to say limited federal government.
3. Limited state government.
4. Personal responsibility.
5. Fidelity to a capitalist free market. The “market” should be responsible for working out its own excesses except where national security is concerned.
6. Fidelity to marriage being between a man and a woman.
7. Fidelity to an apolitical and rigorous public education.
8. Fidelity to our inalienable rights coming from God. The political elite are not the source of our right to life liberty, the pursuit of happiness and property.
9. Fidelity to the concept that government is the tool of the people—not the reverse.
10. Fidelity to the concept of no taxation without representation.
This is not meant to an inclusive list nor is it meant to be definitive. FREEPERs should feel free to amend or modify it as seems appropriate.
My point is that there exists a definition of fundamental conservatism to which we would all would agree. I’m not into gray’s when it comes to defining anything.