Both of us are members of groups whose views are more diverse than ours personally encompass; my beliefs are a subset of all possible liberal beliefs, yours ditto mirrorwise. That means we could have two kinds of conversations, and sometimes--often, I think--we're not clear about which one we're having. But sometimes it's just about what we personally believe, while other times we're called upon to justify, or at least explain, the beliefs or actions of others in our sphere of belief. That can be awkward.

You're only occasionally "dismissive", personally; but the Generic Conservative seems to drip with contempt and hatred (kind of a vitriolic superset of dismissive). Ever watch Fox "News" or sample a few of the rightwing blogs? Also, it's pretty clear from the outside that The Conservative Movement has a rigid set of minimum standards for showing contempt for and dismissing liberals, and sometimes it seems like otherwise decent conservative people feel obligated to conform to the group's beliefs rather than their own. I understand that conservatives are obligated to be nasty shits sometimes, just for the street cred. Much of the violent ideation is just for show, a very basic primate display of fear and aggression that strengthens bonds with other members of the tribe.

You're mischaracterizing what I've reported about the findings of research into the relationship between mental architecture and political viewpoint. I have never once claimed that conservatism is a "mental deficiency". What the research shows is simply that conservatism is really a personality type more than a political philosophy. Imagine my chagrin to realize that for all these decades I've been arguing with a personality type. What a waste. No wonder I never once made the slightest dent in any conservative skull. You're born that way.

As a general personality type (one too widespread to call a "disorder", though perhaps "syndrome" would be appropriate), conservatives consistently test high for sensitivity to threats, and to have a related strong aversion to perceptions of "impurity" or "uncleanliness". Notice your visceral reaction to a the perception that I'm saying you have a "mental deficiency", that is, a disease. Ewwwwww!

We can all think of lots of things that make conservatives squirm and go "ewwwww". Like what gay people do in their bedrooms. Conservatives are very consistent.

I'd say you have a ways to go if you feel you have to put quotes around 'the [Liberal] "philosophy"'. Now that, actually, is dismissive. I stand corrected by me. See how naturally you slip into that conservative contempt?

Sure, I put quotes in 'Fox "News"'. But then credible academic analyses of its reporting shows it's flat-out factually wrong more than half the time; and that Fox "News" viewers would be better-informed if the turned off the TV and ignored the news entirely. So I stand by my quotes. I dismiss Fox "News" with good reason.

I listen to NPR more than I watch Fox "News", but not very much in real terms. I recommend a news aggregator like Google News or News Republic, to get a genuinely balanced view of the entire spectrum of reporting. My morning routine starts with tapping the News Republic app in my tablet. I'd say that my style of grazing for information is generally true of liberals, while settling on one trusted Authority like Fox "News" is more the conservative (personality) style. In other words, you're projecting when you assume Liberals have any one such Authority for their news and information.

Where did the conservative personality come from? It's been speculated that things like the threat sensitivity are avatars of behaviors that had considerable survival value early in our species' history. Once upon a time, it was smart to imagine a terroristtiger behind every bush.

That would mean that conservatism is not an aberration or a "mental deficiency", but something perfectly normal.

Like an appendix.

My money's on old Neanderthal genes.

(Sorry, I just had to. I crack me up sometimes.)