Love the idea of "small" government in theory - but not a huge fan of it in practice - as you've pointed out very well in your piece. Kind of like masks and vaccines - it would be awesome if they weren't mandated b/c we as Americans and patriots would automatically look at how we affected the health of others and do the right thing. Instead, nearly 40% of us shriek about our "constitutional" rights and "freedom".

The greatest generation isn't held up b/c they fought in a war - every generation has its wars. That generation put aside their individual desires to work together for a common good. We can't even wear masks for a few hours without pitching a fit.

Like Christianity, I believe that conservatism has shifted so far from its original purpose as to be almost recognizable. Hell - if I listed out Eisenhower's platforms from over 60 years ago, the right would be calling him a left-wing socialist communist.