Kristol is a mess. Like many conservatives of my generation -- who got involved because "Conservativism", as then defined, was the most radical, anti-establishment political form then available -- he's never been able to transition to a role in a majority, ready-to-govern coalition. He seeks the fight, but has no stomache to actually build, or create, anything. So sad.
And what's wrong with "leave me alone" conservativism? It still holds an appeal for me; as it would the Founding Fathers.
And what's wrong with "leave me alone" conservativism? It still holds an appeal for me; as it would the Founding Fathers. Well said, and I agree.
This was pretty much the standard form between 1964 and sometime in the '80s. (I'm still not sure where we went adrift, either with Reagan's second term or Bush the Elder's term. The end of the Cold War cinched it for many, as they learned that the "peace dividend" would be paid in social programs.)