I have to point out that your second source is a conservative think tank, and if you're conservative it generally means that the status quo is in your favor ("you like/are happy with the status quo") and any challenge to it looks like the start of a revolution.
Hoover Institute is about as high quality intellectual conservatism as it gets. They're part of Stanford University. The institute has been around for more than 100 years.
Not my concern really, but if you need to comment that someone else used a conservative website as a source for something and that’s “an issue”... you might need more conservative sources in your own reading.
> Not my concern really, but if you need to comment that someone else used a conservative website as a source for something and that’s “an issue”... you might need more conservative sources in your own reading.
The reason I would raise an issue with most conservative “think tanks” as sources for fact claims is that I read, and have for years read, their output extensively. The same is true with center-right (liberal) and progressive think tanks in general (there arr a very few exceptions in each category.)
If you are using them as fact sources, you might need more outlets that aren’t ideological propaganda mills in your own reading.
Your assertion isn't true, as was explained to me on HN recently. Conservatism in the US has nothing to do with conservation, it's more synonymous with economic liberalism in Europe: small government, low regulation, wealth makes right.
On a personal note, this war on words has turned me off from most debates because hollow sophistry is deemed a virtue by the loudest voices. Excluded middle, and all that.
> small government, low regulation, wealth makes right
How does this explain their stance on issues like gay marriage, trans rights, abortion, and criminal justice? We really have to stop saying that American conservatives are primarily motivated by small government.
>Conservatism in the US has nothing to do with conservation, it's more synonymous with economic liberalism in Europe
This is a very popular cliché, and while the conclusion might hold, the logic doesn't, in my opinion.
If the US did have true conservatives, then they would be conserving what is in the US, not Europe.
And I think it's widely considered that the existing order in the US has more elements of economic liberalism.
On the other hand, the Republicans who like that sort of thing seem increasingly marginalized anyway, so as I said, the conclusion may still be correct.
Interesting article, though.