You see, due to what comes out of Republican talk, the idea that somehow conservative = "smaller government". You hear over and over this out of some political talk. But, reality is that it is not. You have conservatives who will advocate for more government in the area of morals, more military and other things. You see on the left also, anarchists who want no government.
Conservatism is about preserving the past, or return to times seen as superior. Liberalism is about moving forward and advancing, and throwing out what is seen as standard form.
The real argument for size of government is more of a Libertarian vs Statists. It can be argued that there has been a Conservative-Libertarian political fusion going on, which has confusing issues.
Ugh, out of time. Will let others comment.
