ABSTRACT
The conservatives can win public attention by pointing out the failures of government, but they can offer no specific alternatives. Stuck with a choice between a mulish negativism and grudging agreement, the office-holding conservative often becomes a reluctant "me-too" politician. Lacking a program which does not compromise conservative principle, conservatives can only attack big government. Conservatives have tried in vain to oppose pragmatic programs with philosophical arguments. Conservatives have sought support by contending that big government is dangerous, leading in time to tyranny. The conservative's campaign against big government has been driven onward, and then repeatedly frustrated, because the public so often seems to be on his side. The habit of blaming big government on its employees has persuaded many conservatives that government workers are a special breed put here on earth to bedevil people.
