It’s tough to unpack this entire thesis in one response, but here’s my short take.

My problem with conservatism today is that the answer to basically every issue raised is to pretend it doesn’t exist.

To conservatives:

Global warming doesn’t exist.

Our healthcare system was fine before Obamacare

We regulate cars, trucks, motorboats, even jet skis but a gun…no regulation at all ever.

The only answer to every economic problem is less taxation.

GOP candidates like to reference Reagan. A president who compromised with liberals regularly, raised taxes and was also conservative.

If conservatives actually wanted to work on issues rather than pretend they were liberal fantasies then as a centrist I might have more time for them.

It seems to me you want compromise and to work with the “other side.” Too bad too few writers and thinkers feel the same.