When this MAGA version started 10 years ago, they were called the "alt right". To me, GOP stands for "Gas and Oil Party".

The argument I hold against conservatism, even classic conservatism is that there are too many people who are miserable, too many people in crisis. And to disregard them, to fail to acknowledge and respond to their state is wrongdoing against humanity.

Of course, post-Nixon conservatism endorsed dehumanizing and disenfranchising the lower strata on the social hierarchy.

MAGA, who disregards everyone not MAGA is the natural progression.

And they don't realize the plutocratic class even unperson them, and will cut even into themselves as they can.

The face-eating leopards come for everyone.

This is where conservatism always leads. There's only one genuine ideal held by conservatives, and that's that society should be hierarchical. While most general populace conservatives don't realize it, it's an inherently dishonest ideology because the real driving force is the wealthy who want to become an aristocratic class but realize nobody will just give them that, so they instead direct your attention toward attempts to put someone under you while they quietly elevate themselves. Everything else is just window dressing and distractions. Conservative leaders don't give a shit about abortion or trans rights, but they do care about riling up their base to garner support over stupid shit and distract them from all the pillaging.

They're mostly economic libertarians, wealthy Capitalists seeking tax breaks and lobbying, cultists, and fascists.

Quite often they're all of the above.

This is very different to people who genuinely want to improve the conditions of their neighborhoods/families/towns/community/spirituality/nation.

Conservatives let their values be hijacked. They did so willingly to "win"... And now I don't think they exist anymore. They fucked around, found out, now they don't have a party.