The proof that conservative political and economic ideology is not popular with the majority is that the last time we had what today would be considered a democratic socialist (FDR) as president, the American people elected him 4 times in a row.
What was the conservative reaction to that?
The 22nd amendment to the constitution.
The term hissy fit is apt, because the conservative powers that be realized that they couldnt allow that to happen again.
Bernie Sanders nailed it almost 20 years ago when he said that if conservatives tried to run on the things that they actually do and promote, i.e. Lowering taxes for the wealthy, reducing social services, making life more difficult for the everyday American, etc. They would never win a single fucking election.
So what do they do instead? They make up bullshit arguments that dont really affect peoples lives. Like abortion, guns, gay rights, a secular, science based education as being bad and of course, the latest bogeymen, transgender people and immigrants.
Ive said this before. They know goddamn well theyre not popular. Their ideas suck and so the only way they can win elections, particularly national ones, is by cheating. Thats it.
Its also why theyre so popular with poorly educated people, because those people are easily convinced that, as LBJ indicated, all they have to be is convinced that theres a lesser person threatening their way of life, not only will they vote for you, theyll let you pick their pockets