Conservative also means staying with the "established" system or value system and not changing. True conservatives want less government and truely do want to return to our roots. The framers of the constitution established a democratic republic, not a democracy. The also established a three legged stool of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. Neither was supposed to be more powerful than the other. Jackson was the first to defy the supreme court with the expulsion of Native Americans from east of the Mississippi. Most had already adapted white mans ways and methods, like private ownership of property, farming, ect. Many had intermarried with whites. The supreme court said it was wrong to do this to the ones who were settled and not nomads. He said let the supreme court create and army to stop him. Congress did nothing because they supported this move to establish more states and have more land available for white settlers. Then Lincoln violated the constitution also during the Civil War. I think the supreme court justices should be elected to serve, say 12 year terms, by 12 regions, based on state lines and population, no jerrymandering. I also think US senators should go back to being appointed by the governors and approved by the state legislatures. They would represent the interest of the state and not public opinion which is sometimes wrong. I think the founders knew what they were doing. I also don't think the president should have the power of executive orders except in extreme emergencies with a conveining congress to approve it asap. I also think ALL executive orders should be approved by congress. I think congressmen should not serve over 12 years, nor senators over 12 years. No retirements, no special insurance.