Unfortunately, American conservatism seems to be in an unfortunate and primarily reactionary position. For example, did you hear that Chuck Norris wants to secede with Texas?

(While I’m adding to the linkpile, there was a lovely op ed in the SF Chronicle this week on the topic of Strauss v. Horton and liberties

I’m not convinced conservatism is particularly concerned with any of these things. Then again, the only self-described conservative whose commentary I read on anything like a regular basis is Andrew Sullivan, whose philosophy is a little antique. He describes his conservatism as a skepticism about what government is able to accomplish. Ornery question-asker that I am, I always have a place in my heart for skepticism, at least when I’m not getting starry-eyed about our president. But that’s most definitely not where American conservatism is right now, and personally I haven’t seen any evidence that it’s doing better in other places.