It was your reply, not you, which I deemed knee-jerk and typical. Even if you gave it a lot of thought, there is no denying it is typical; whenever the subject comes up, every liberal and perhaps 2/3 of otherwise conservative women defensively bare their claws. Of course, that's how our modern society has conditioned—even requires—the "liberated" woman to react to such an idea.
Sure, you might be a "longtime FReeper and Conservative" but, as with Golda Meir, you're exceptional. Women, by and large, tend to prefer big government (due in no small part to men shirking their God-given roles and responsibilities but, I digress). There's no disputing the facts. The gender gap is not absolute but, it is absolutely real.
With all due respect, You are nuts!
What about Washington, et. al.... Were they also "nuts"?
Maybe you should take this up with all the great conservative women here at FR, or with your wife. Why do I question whether you have one?
Why, indeed. My one and only wife of these nearly 20 years is a beautiful, noble, staunchly conservative and—above all else—godly (Proverbs 31) woman, thank you very much. Obviously, I am richly blessed. Although she's always insisting she's the one who's blessed, I'm not buying it (and, unless I'm wrong, you're not, either ;O).
“defensively bare their claws”
When in a hole, stop digging.