what is a conservative?
931355
The opposite of the answerers above mine.
504170
I would say this depends on what you are conservative about.  The issues that conservatives used to identify with the GOP are no longer fundamental to that party especially as concerns fiscal responsibility.  Civil liberty protection, refrain from nation-building, separation of church and state and a well-defined balance of power within the branches of government all USED to be core conservative positions.  Conservatism above all used to be about CIVIL BEHAVIOR (Rush!) HONESTY (W!) and COMMON SENSE (Rummy!)  Neo-conservatives have surrendered moderates to the RELIGIOUS conservatives and THEY now define YOU.  Even Nixon was more honest than this bunch.
155125
Im a hardcore conservative.
218141
A neoconservative isn't a conservative at all. Neoconservatives believe in an all powerful government which intercedes in the lives of all its citizens on behalf of big business and extreme right-wing religous zealots. The economic and military conquest of the planet is the ultimate goal of Neoconservatives by any means necessary.\n\nPaleoconservatives, or traditional conservatives, if you prefer, believe in small central government with the majority of power given to individual states and municipalities, minimal government spending, and the idea that the government should stay the hell out of people's personal lives.
159840
Hey "Cute Girl": try "dictionary" (do you really get points for an answer like that????)\n\nBelieve it or not, that's not a simple question. Conservatism, in politics, can mean lots of things. And, politicians and parties can identify themselves as "conservative" and not really be conservative. But, generally, conservative means "not radical," so opposed to change and in favor of tradition.\n\nFor true conservatives, tradition is more important than ideology, or ideas. It also depends on your point of view...what's "conservative" in one country can be radical in another.\n\nIn the U.S., Conservative is generally meant to mean people in favor of small government, individual responsibility (and therefore very little public spending, welfare, etc.). There are people who say that the present Bush Administration, which describes itself as conservative, isn't really conservative because they've EXPANDED government and trampled on civil liberties.\n\nThere isn't enough space here to really get into what the differences are between the flavors of conservatism, but the web site below has some pretty good stuff. Check it out.
1169852
I always remember that "left" originally meant "sinister" - so it is the Religious Right and the Liberal Leftist.  Traditionally Right is conservative and Left is Liberal.\n\nConservatives (right) are traditionally thought of as cautious, uncomfortable with too much government and are financially and/or religiously motivated.\n\nversus\n\nLiberals (left - I wonder who decided on these names...) are traditionally thought of as folks who think the government should take care of all it's people and will pass tax bills to pay for it.  They are more religiously tolerant (as long as you keep your religion to yourself) and more likely to try new things.  \n\nLiberals are thought to vote with their heart and Conservatives with their wallets.  Republicans are often considered Conservatives, while Liberals are usually the Democrats.\n\nI am more what you would call a Centerist (I can see some things are correct on both sides of the debate) and a Libertarian (I really think government should get out of our lives - if I had my way, the only law would be "If you damage someone else (physically, financially) you will be punished.  Otherwise, do what you want.")  I usually vote Democrat / Liberal.
1032320
I started off voting Republican (Reagan in '84), switched to Democrat ('88-'96), voted Green (Nader in 2000) and voted for a Democrat (not Kerry) in 2004. I lean, surprisingly, to the right. I've always considered myself a liberal until I learned what "classic conservativism" is. I am more conservative than a lot of self-proclaimed conservatives. I believe in small government and reduced debt (thus the Clinton votes in '92 and '96) less government restrictions (Nader 2000), and a strong military (thus my vote against Kerry and Bush in '04), all "classic conservative" traits.\n\nThe terms liberal and conservative have little meaning anymore. True liberalism would be socialism or communism,and these parties are not as active in the US as they are in Europe.
840878
Conservatives:\n\nDefend Bush and his mess in Iraq\n\nDefend sexual predators in their party.\n\nTwist words of Democrats when they are desperate.\n\nAre leaving their own party in droves by now.\n\nThose who stay in the now-stale "Neo-Right" are shameless.\n\nAnd immoral.
1059286
Most Roman Catholics tend to be pretty conservative - I definitely am!!  You might want to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church for more information.
1144687
The left are considered liberals. Broadly speaking, liberalism seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of minorities are protected.\n\nThe right are considered conservative. To a conservative, the goal of change is less important than the insistence that change be effected with a respect for the rule of law and traditions of society.
315709
Marx wasnt a conservative, communism is extreme liberalism\n\n\nand yes it is
1179850
Liberal is left wing\n\nConservative is right wing\n\nThink of it as a line with 0 as the center and 1 thru ten going in each direction. People land somewhere on that scale based on their politics.
223170
The word Liberal and Conservative don't mean SHIT! The assholes that like to lable themselves conservatives are usually rich sons of bitches or the mindless minons that believe the bullshit they shovel.\n\nFor the most part the conservatives who label people liberal are usually a bunch of freaks and weridos who are equally rich political lap dogs of the wealthly who are using the equally blind for support to get elected. These people also don't do shit for the people. \n\nThe words liberal and conservative don't fit the true definition of the word(s). \n\nLiberate, to set free\nConservation, to protect, or not waste\n\nIt all a bunch of bull shit and if you use these words to label yourself or lable someone else you're an idiot and a minon of the mass media. \n\nFor the most part I agree with you that the so called "conservatives" seem to be are card carrying members of the NRA and enjoy NASCAR. (Right Wing minons)\n\nAnd the so called liberals are a bunch of wanabe hippies.
930394
A moderate.\n\nAbortion?  How do you feel about late term abortion.  If pro, you are liberal on this.\nDeath Penalty?  Conservative democrat\nStem cell research:  Moderate democrat or republican\nPro War? Republican\nImmigration? Republican\nBush?  Just tired of the fighting.  Does not define you as republican or democrat.\n\nAppears you are more an independent, intelligent voter who forms his own opinions.
118607
No.  There is no party that is truly conservative anymore.  We can't even protect our borders. We can't even win in Iraq.  Why?  Politics.  I am from the political standpoint of Winston Churchill.  He crushed his enemies with brute force.  He was considered on the fringe of the right in his time but if he was Prime Minister from the start rather than Neville Chamberlain, Hitler would have been stopped rather than appeased.  I urge anyone who considers themselves to be a republican to read Churchill's biography.  Find out how a true conservative thought.  He did nothing short of save this world.
200158
Isn't cool and Conservative in the same sentence somehow wrong. Especially these days when they are down to 37%
366101
OK break out your dictionary:\nliberal:\na-Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. \nb-Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. \n\nI am a liberal. I volunteer at food pantries and soup kitchens. I donate to Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army. Most of these groups are run by Christian organizations, although I don't consider them conservative.\n\nLet's define conservative:\na-Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.\nb-a supporter or advocate of traditional ideas and behavior\n\nWhich of these 2 definitions fits better with "helping your fellow man"? I think it fits better with liberalism, (Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, free from bigotry) not conservatism (tending to oppose change).\n\nThe reason "liberals" complained about Bush's Supreme Court picks is because they were afraid of what these people would do to the Constitution and Bill of Rights if given the chance.\n\nPick up a history book sometime. Remember who championed the Civil Rights movement? Kennedy - a liberal democrat. Who started Social Security? FDR - a liberal Democrat. Who started Habitat for Humanity? Jimmy Carter - a liberal Democrat. Notice a pattern here?