[s_wilwerding]

You use conservative and Republican interchangeably, and I don't think they are. Very few of the Republicans in power (including the President) are conservative, at least fiscally conservative.

I would classify myself as a Reagan Republican - I believe in strong national defense, smaller government, and lower taxes. Most "Republicans" now may believe in one of those things, but not all three.

I think a lot of the other problems - federally mandated schooling, gay marriage, etc. would be helped a lot if the federal government stayed out of it (as they would under a smaller government) and left it to cities/counties/states.