My recollection of historical readings is that social programs of 100 years ago, where the rich funded them, were relatively hodge-podge and non-egalitarian. To receive aid, the poor had to jump through the funder's hoops, like attending church on Sunday mornings.

With government programs, there are still "hoops," but they are more based on need and non-judgment and the experience of implementing such programs rather than an ideology of how the world should work.

As time has passed, I am finding conservatives unable to defend their ideology in a rational debate anymore. Your references to the elder spokespeople of this political stripe has not convinced me they have a well-thought-out "plan" in place.

The current rise of conservative political power is mostly about a future power grab, where 25% of us can call most of the shots, feathering their own nest, disregarding the other 75%.