>>8 You should check out the stats on that page, showing that the gulf between self-identified conservatism and operational conservatism is wide.
"affirmative action" This is unethical but could be justified by a certain situation.
"gun control" Unethical, mostly ineffective.
"various socialistic programs, such as nationalized medicine" Said programs have a lot of support according to that link's data. I am for national healthcare, since conservatives can't privatize for shit.
"social security" Unfairly demonized, and the offered program for privatization is worthless and destructive. No sensible libertarian supports this kind of pyrrhic victory.
"abortion on demand" Almost always ethical, and we can't trust pro-lifers to draw a sensible line.
"legislating tolerance" Unethical and not very productive.
"higher taxes" Generally bad, but this depends on the nation. I would never support tax cuts before a period of insane spending. Reagan raised taxes and that worked swell, you know?
"higher spending" Red states take more gov spending than they give back. Guess the rugged rural independent people should start acting upon their words.
"more social programs, and increased funding to them" This is in accordance with the popular opinion as far as the link's credited survey is concerned.
"Legislation affirming the right to life of the unborn" And while this is justified, we can't trust them to draw the line in an acceptable manner.
"gun rights" Absolutely.
"self defense rights" Fair enough.
"carry rights" also ethically and utilitarianly justified. Enough with the boomsticks already.
"slashing taxes" Ethically justified, yet the laffer curve is proven bullshit.
"slashing spending on social programs" Keyword is "slash". Forcing the needy to quit cold turkey is not an ethical way to create a laissez-faire state. Slow but steady change towards self-reliance is much better.
"increasing spending on the military" Unneccesary; the current threats against America would be handled better with surgical strikes a la NATO.
"opposing affirmative action" more like demonizing it. I find affirmative action to be unethical and not very productive. But I am reality-based so if it worked I would support it. I am a white male and I have been privileged all my life.
"opposing legislating tolerance" And generally not offering another way to increase tolerance.
Read that article, you'll be intrigued by the clear message of the data, and that data comes from a very credible survey.