Conservative philosophy -- an oxymoron

"Conservatives" have no political philosophy. They are all identified easily today, as the party of the elite, but as sure as Marx showed in the 18th Brumaire, the bourgeoisie have no coherent interest beyond their own personal short-term self-aggrandizements. However, being an elite doesn't compel one to realize that fact, even though the various and sundry strategies such people use to stay at the top of the social hierarchy know no single philosophy. So "conservative philosophy" takes the form of evasion. They might pretend to be for "individual rights," but they are really for a limitation on such rights, so as to protect the "deserving" in their domination of those who "don't count." They might pretend to be for "property," while at the same time being con-men and thieves, like they were with the S & L scandals. They might pretend to be for "deregulation" while at the same time using government to stay on top (as did Enron), or for "privatization" as long as things are privatized into their hands. The justification of predatory behavior knows no single strategy -- it's all a shifting attempt to avoid being caught. Tom Tomorrow's most recent comic reveals conservatism in its basic spirit.