What I do not understand about the conservative ideology

[HighStakesPro]

I am opining about specific policy issues and how they are addressed by the liberal and conservative ideology. I am NOT defending or questioning the actions of any specific politicians or judges who are presumed to represent liberalism or conservatism. In particular I'm trying to AVOID a "liberals vs conservatives" argument and focus on the more relavent question of liberalism vs conservatism.

1. The reason that some issues like legalizing marijuana and the legal drinking/gambling age are not discussed at length in political circles or in congress is because they simply don't affect a great number of people, so politicians have virtually nothing to gain by taking a hardline stance on them or passing legislation to change the current laws.

Sorry, there is more to add to this post but I am dead tired right now. Later I will respond to the person who quoted my stated belief about the purpose of government.