Does anybody else get the sense that people call themselves "conservative"

[MissMillie]

because they think it's all the rage?

My guy calls himself conservative, but he agrees with me more often than not.

And I'm so far left that I could tip over.

[arcane1]

1. I do get the feeling that people often don't know what that word means.

Same for the Bible and the Constitution: often their loudest proponents are clueless about the contents

[RandiFan1290]

2. I don't care what they call themselves

Their racism is usually what gives them away.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Not really in my house

My husband calls himself a conservative (for how he votes from abroad back home) - but in the American frame work - he's actually a liberal.

I.E. he wants to maintain his country's version of the ERA - but thinks it sucks that American women don't have those protections.

[tularetom]

4. Nothing wrong with being "conservative"

I consider myself very conservative in my personal behavior and in my personal financial management.

It's the news media's equating the word "conservative" with "patriotic" that has fucked everything up and got the dumbasses in a snit.

[Rod Beauvex]

5. I think this is where alot of politicians trip up.

They try to get people to change their labels, and people don't like that. People are very attached to their labels, regardless of how they personally define them.

[LeftinOH]

6. I know plenty of self-described "conservatives"

who are 'totally OK' with marriage equality; 'totally OK' with reproductive choice; 'totally on board' with the 1% and corporations paying their fair share of taxes

....but

They still vote straight "R" no matter what. It may have to do with a sense of security and habit, as in staying within one's "comfort zone". Which is a terrible reason to continue doing anything, of course.