What comes to mind when you think of the (political) word "conservative"?

Personal responsibility and smaller government.

When I think of TRUE conservatism I think of a preference for a smaller government and (social) adherance to tradition as well as a laissez faire approach to economics. I think that the true meaning of conservative has become bastardized by current politics. Conservatives are not evil, not all Republicans or essentially idiots. Intelligent conservatives are generally libertarians. The far right is filled with idiocy, but beneath all of the screaming there is a more meaningful and thoughtful voice. One day if we listen to this voice our country will truly become the land of the free and the home of the brave. As soon as conservatism becomes the party of more than the white man and the wealthy it will triumph.

Conservatives are not simply idiotic archaic homophobes, or at least they will not always be. The world still has room for intelligent thought, personal freedom and responsiblity in all aspects of life. The downfall of conservativism occured when ulterior motives such as overtly religious, racially motivated or hateful ideas become part of an inherently good idea!

A lot of things. Low taxes, small government, personal responsibility. All good things. But also, denial about economics and global warming come to mind, along with corporate greed and the religious right.

It's a mixed bag.

It depends on whether I think of those who are true intellectually honest "conservatives", or those in great abundance today, who simply use that term to front for selfish greed & small–minded bigotry.

Those actual conservatives and I may agree on some things, disagree on others, but I have a great deal of respect for their thoughtful beliefs, the "neo–conservatives", in their hypocrisy & intellectual dishonesty, garner little respect...

The surprising fact that so few people even understand the meaning of the word conservative.

Conservatives = move jobs to China

Responsibility.

Libertarians or Ron Paul supporters are true conservatives.

Irrelevance

I think of moderates, who support small government in all areas.

Note that this is about the opposite to what a neo-con is.