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I think a large part of the problem with conservative policy positions (at least in the US) is that they're mostly unchanged from 30-40 years ago. Despite mount

I think a large part of the problem with conservative policy positions (at least in the US) is that they're mostly unchanged from 30-40 years ago. Despite mountains of evidence on things like work requirements for government benefits, multiplier effects of stimulus spending vs tax cuts, benefits of expanding healthcare coverage, and many more, the conservative positions remain the same. I would guess this is likely because these positions are more based on philosophy than they are on actual economics or other evidence-based fields. This was a reasonable position when there wasn't strong evidence to either prove or disprove these arguments, but at some point the evidence becomes overwhelming, and those positions should no longer be considered serious. We're long passed that point on a number of issues, but it sure doesn't seem like anything will change anytime soon.

devdas 6y ago
Isn't that exactly the meaning of conservative? They want to preserve the status quo of that time.
- chillfox 6y ago
  Yep, it sure matches if you actually pay attention to their actions.
- kevin__ 6y ago
  Sure, I guess in a dictionary sense of the word. But that obviously doesn't match their behavior in that case. They wouldn't be arguing for lower taxes or cuts to social security if they were only interested in preserving what existed in 1980. They wouldn't be attempting to overturn Roe v. Wade or gut the Civil Rights Act.
  - loopz 6y ago
    Think 200 years earlier, slavery and widespread poverty. The aim is bsckwards to good ol' times.
imtringued 6y ago
Same with the central bank. Supply side stimulus forever, even though the supply side has been saturated with funding. It's like dousing a farm field with fertilizers and herbicides to improve yields even though you couldn't sell half of last year's harvest. You end up selling your produce for less than last year even though the value of your company has gone up according to the stock market. It doesn't take a genius to understand that things are doing better when supply and demand are balanced. You need a combination of multiple strategies. Actually it's even worse. Too much fertilizer and herbicides will cause unintended consequences.

devdas 6y ago

Isn't that exactly the meaning of conservative? They want to preserve the status quo of that time.

chillfox 6y ago
Yep, it sure matches if you actually pay attention to their actions.
kevin__ 6y ago
Sure, I guess in a dictionary sense of the word. But that obviously doesn't match their behavior in that case. They wouldn't be arguing for lower taxes or cuts to social security if they were only interested in preserving what existed in 1980. They wouldn't be attempting to overturn Roe v. Wade or gut the Civil Rights Act.
- loopz 6y ago
  Think 200 years earlier, slavery and widespread poverty. The aim is bsckwards to good ol' times.

imtringued 6y ago

Same with the central bank. Supply side stimulus forever, even though the supply side has been saturated with funding. It's like dousing a farm field with fertilizers and herbicides to improve yields even though you couldn't sell half of last year's harvest. You end up selling your produce for less than last year even though the value of your company has gone up according to the stock market. It doesn't take a genius to understand that things are doing better when supply and demand are balanced. You need a combination of multiple strategies. Actually it's even worse. Too much fertilizer and herbicides will cause unintended consequences.