What Tom doesn’t understand is that controversial topic issues are decided on the basis of the prevailing consensus of the dominant factions of the power elite. The Sunbelt faction of the ruling class that emerged in the postwar era, and which funds the Conservatism, Inc that Tom represents, is only a minority in the power elite, even if it makes common cause with the right-wing of the Israel lobby, right-wing clerical oligarchs, and factions with the Deep State/MIC.  Still not enough to achieve hegemony within the ruling class.