Ask yourself why no big money conservatives, have picked up one of the major newspapers that have been trying to sell for years. In my opinion the big money conservatives have no interest in conserving the nation, only the bottom line. Libertarians not Conservatives.
I am open to valid alternative theories.
I would agree, and I think it is in part because conservatives have bought into the "rugged individualism" nonsense peddled by both Rush Limbaugh as well as by libertarians. This junk about how any sort of working together for a common good is inherently "socialist". Try telling that to Locke and to our Founders. This country was not founded by rugged individualists. It was founded by communities of rugged individuals - and there is a big difference. Modern conservatives have this idea that, if something doesn't directly and immediately benefit us personally, then it's "socialist" to do it. That type of short-sightedness is going to end up killing this country.