Conservation literally means to preserve. Teddy Roosevelt was a conservative who established the national park system to preserve our country's natural wonder. You might also say that conservatives don't believe in spending lots of money and are against high deficits and fiscal craziness. None of those really describe the conservative movement in America today.

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hyperhello a day ago | parent | next [-]

That's not what it means in practice. The element being conserved is monarchy.

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vintermann 19 hours ago | parent | next [-]

In one of Marx's most memorable letters:

"Tories in England long imagined that they were enthusiastic about monarchy, the church, and the beauties of the old English Constitution, until the day of danger wrung from them the confession that they are enthusiastic only about ground rent."

That feels like it could have been written today, doesn't it? When push comes to shove, things like Christianity, constitutional order or "fiscal restraint" seem to always take second seat to the yield from owning things, especially real estate.

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seanmcdirmid 20 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

That has never been an American conservative ideal for obvious reasons.

	▲	Geezus_42 19 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yeah, it's more oligarchal.

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thwarted a day ago | parent | prev [-]

The conservative movement today is heavily influenced by religious positions.

	▲	12 hours ago \| parent [-]
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