>> some very ignorant assumptions regarding conservatism.
>
>I'm completely informed as to what conservatism is, that is why I'm liberal. How do you defend conservatism's poor track record on civil rights and women's rights?

In a different thread (lol)

OK, I'll play, since you are so determined.

First, I think your definition of "conservatism" is way too narrow. Modern conservatism, in the American political system, isn't what it was even twenty years ago. Neither is liberalism. Civil rights and women's rights opposition is dead as a conservative issue now. To be honest, I don't know how strongly conservatives opposed either in the '60's. George Wallace was a Democrat, but would his views be welcome in the party now? McCarthy was a lunatic, a product of an age where fear of Communism bordered on hysteria. Polygamy? Sorry, that one won't stick.

I forget what else you are trying to pin on "conservatism" but it seems to me you view it in a very narrow, good-vs-evil definition. But that isn't a fair definition. A more correct definition is that conservatism is centered around the maintenance of the status quo (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism, which is hardly the last word on conservatism as a political movement). Yes, it would indicate that changes in society will be resisted, but societies change nonetheless, and what is opposed yesterday will be defended today.

So, as a self-avowed conservative, does that mean I need to oppose all change? No. As a Republican, do I need to accept everything that is part of the national or state party platform? No. There are some issues that I take more of a center stand on, and some I definitely disagree with the GOP on.

Here is an illustration you might find interesting: http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~garfinkm/Spectrum.html. Note that even this is a very broad categorization of what is or is not conservative or liberal ideology.

To say that "I'm completely informed as to what conservatism is, that is why I'm liberal." strikes me as disingenuous. I really don't think you know what conservatism is, but in reality it doesn't matter. What matters is your personal beliefs as they fall to the left or the right of the political spectrum, which is fairly well-defined.