Peter: It is the GOP that is the damaged “brand”, not conservative. If we are to believe the polls, more people identify with the term conservative than they do the term liberal. It is certain that the majority of Americans hold beliefs that are conservative; many are just not aware of it and this is due mostly to the MSM and the educational system.
In any event, the Marxists have thoroughly corrupted the term as it serves as a euphemism for Socialism and/or Democratic Socialism, at least that is so here in the USA. This has been the case since FDR. This just supports my point about the inherent nature of the American people for the Democrat party cannot still come out and call themselves Democratic Socialists as do their European brethren.. There is not a “classical liberal” in the democrat party, at least not one that matters, so there is nothing to “reclaim” other than a word.
If by “classic liberalism” you mean 19th century liberalism, that is exactly what American conservative is, with some exceptions. 19th century liberalism was not particularly about small government, or was it opposed to welfare states, or even colonialism, protectionism or national chauvinism — witness Bismark’s support form the Liberal parties when he was Chancellor, or the British Whigs. It is perhaps a false comparison to the current day, for classical liberals were chiefly opposed to the old economic and political order of the aristocracy, and certain economic practices, i.e., serfdom, mercantilism, etc. Conservatism in the 19th Century sense has little to do with modern American conservatism
I think that you are a little misinformed on what conservatism is. In any event, it is a matter of explaining this to the American people, not a matter of fiddling with words.
Conservatism is a well defined and thought out set of principles and hardly a “brand”, and frankly, your take on it is a bit su0perficial. Certainly we are not going to change our nomenclature because of your social timidity.
If your social circles are so childish and superficial to think otherwise, then perhaps you should attempt to educate them — either or find new friends. There are plenty of people under 40 that are proud to be called conservatives, and they have the courage of their convictions and know what they are talking about. Go check out our aremed services and see how unpopular it is there to be a conservative.
Carl: You are yet another mature liberal projecting his vileness onto descent and good Americans– particularly about that pseudo-intellectual slander. Is this your first election or something? Finality? Sounds like it. Grow up.
Not only do you not understand what Conseratives stand for, You have not the faintest idea of what the Democrats are about. This will the 6th Democrat administration that I have lived through and each one of them has been an unmitigated disaster. We are still hobbles by decisions JFK and LBJ made. This one promises to be more damaging thaan FDR’s administration. Crooks, con-men, commies or clowns and nothing else.
In addition, you also have no real principles, Carl, you are just a very young man that is regurgitating what he has been told without thought or scruple. This is because you have little capacity for either. That is why you vote Democrat. You have not the faintest idea what is at stake here. When you do grow up and figure it out, remember that you where part of the problem not the solution. You deserve what you got.
