I think part of the issue is the conflation of capitalism and conservatism. Many conservatives pay lip service to capitalism with free-market rhetoric, but both

I think part of the issue is the conflation of capitalism and conservatism. Many conservatives pay lip service to capitalism with free-market rhetoric, but both their actions and many of their values are in direct conflict with it. Capitalism is fundamentally a dynamic system -- people start companies to change the world, not conserve the status quo. I agree that capitalism has taken a beating in much of the country (though in my experience it's still alive and well in the valley).