I chose not to put this in the quotes group so as not to disturb its genteel atmosphere. As harsh as it sounds, this seems to me, true, conservatives by their own definition and admission are opposed to progress, innovation and ideas. You don't have to be stupid to be conservative but you do have to view intelligence with a good deal of suspicion.
"I did not mean that Conservatives are generally stupid; I meant, that stupid persons are generally Conservative. I believe that to be so obvious and undeniable a fact that I hardly think any hon. Gentleman will question it."

― John Stewart Mill