What exactly are 
conservatives conserving?

My understanding of the term "conservative" has improved in recent years as I have become more politically aware. But I continue to feel a little confused about this term, and other similar labels like "right-wing", "liberal", and even "Democrat" and "Republican". 

Perhaps this is because the meaning of these terms has evolved over time, and today these terms do not always mean what they meant years ago. Also, these terms are typically applied to whole groups of people, and often individuals within those groups do not conform to the stereotypical definitions of these terms. 

But the term "conservative" is especially confusing. These days, the term "conservative" seems to be the antonym of "conservationist." In America, under a conservative administration, environmental regulations have been rolled back,  global warming has been ignored, drilling has been advocated in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and generally, the environment has been pillaged.  

One antonym for "conserve" is "destroy." And if the current Republican administration is any indication of the conservative mindset, destruction would seem to be a priority among conservatives. You could argue that in addition to destroying Afghanistan and Iraq, conservatives are destroying many American ideals, like democracy, fairness, freedom and equality.

As far as I can tell, the only thing conservatives are conserving is wealth for the wealthy, and power for the powerful.

  --Dan Frazier

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