Why can't US conservatism be like British or European conservatism?

[Jeneral]

Conservatism has been twitsted and turned in America. Why can't it be like "proper" conservatism and ditch the nonsense about "Christian only" leaders (when no republican or democra t president has exhibited pure Christian values"), abortion (pro life will not jump start any economy) gay rights (killing or hating gays isn't exactly moralistic or Christian) and gun rights. Conservatism in America is not conservatism but a clinging on to issues that will not solve pertinent problems.

[marmar]

1. Because Puritanical silliness is not pervasive on the other side of the pond....

.....like it is here.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Britain had the good sense to boot the Puritans out.

Unfortunately, we now live in the country those booted out peoples made.

Well, I shouldn't say unfortunately - they actually made a pretty damn good country, and set up a pretty incredible system of government by the people. Gotta give them props for that.

But they did leave us a few blind spots. And instead of killing Roger Williams, they only banished him, which left some of his thinking to filter down into the south and create that absolutely god-awful Southern Baptist* idiocy which is where so much of the garbage in this country comes from.


(* note - not all baptists are awful. The Northern Baptists and American Baptists, who are the true heirs of Roger Williams, are progressive and liberal; but note: they are in the North, not the South)

[LeftishBrit]

3. Be careful what you wish for; you don't want a Thatcher!

But it is true that we don't have nearly the same influence of the religious right here. Partly because we are more secular; partly because the Church of England is overall less socially right-wing than some other sects.

We did have Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. Ironically, the Puritans were the one group that really DID have a war on Christmas, which was banned during the Cromwellian period.

[baldguy]

4. The corporatocracy profits by keeping the electorate distracted & ignorant.

Therefor, American-style conservatism will always receive the funding it needs to continue.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Because there is no feudalistic tradition of noblesse oblige paternalism

among US conservatives as there is in Europe, according to political scientists like Barrington Moore and Seymour Martin Lipset.