And with this I can illustrate the fundamental difference between modern conservatives and modern liberals.

Liberals believe that man is born pure and noble and it is society (and religion) that warp these innocent angels into evil creatures in need of top down control.

Conservatives believe man is inherently selfish and evil and to maintain a safe and prosperous free society, you must create laws (and a society) that take man's natural character into account. A big part of this is acknowledging that government is people and that people are corrupt so you need a very small and tightly restrained government where all live under the law).

Liberals believe man can be perfected by a strong governing authority. Conservatives believe law and society can be made to allow men to be free but also protected from one other's basic evil tendencies.