Elections over the last decade show that America is a conservative country in the literal–not the Republican–sense of the word. We might have fond memories of the 1950s, but we still look forward, not back. We are not reactionaries.
Americans are suspicious of new large-scale government spending programs. Most issues should be left to the private sector, or to state and local governments; where federal action is clearly necessary, it should be small and incremental. Once a new program is in place, however, it should remain. Attempts to repeal programs that benefit large numbers of Americans usually don’t end well.
On social issues, Americans believe in traditional values, but do not support discrimination against historically disadvantaged groups, and are unwilling to give up rights that they have enjoyed for many years.
Abroad, Americans support democratic states, and oppose authoritarian ones. How far they are willing to go to express those opinions is an open question.
Why is this so difficult to understand?