Fear of losing what they've got, what they've been handed down to them from generations?

I just got off the phone with someone I adore, a professional whom I've known and worked with for over 20 years. We communicate well and watch each others' backs, yet he is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative. And we've gone round and round about the past four presidencies (Reagan, Bush Sr. Clinton, Bush Jr.) as they've unfolded. Never stepping on each others toes because of the respect we have for each other. Had he been here, we'd have flamed each other silly and ended up at odds. I know what he thought about Obama before the election, and I don't rub it in. Simply because as a true blue American, he has to give him the chance to run the country. Although already he's not happy with the stimulous plan.

In his case, he sees some people as ingrates, worthless...and he is a closet racist in the broadest sense of the word. I think his conservatism comes from wanting to keep his families money safe, and not taken away by some communist government. It's all in the upbringing.
The "other" conservatives, are the ones who live in small towns and are tied in heavily with church organizations. They wear their conservatism like a badge of honor around town.

These are just my observations. Anyone can add theirs.