I define as a social democrat leaning more towards socialism, and even I find your definition tone deaf at best.

Conservatism, like any other political belief, is just that - a political belief. If you actually believe that conservatives are mentally ill, how can you expect to get any legislation accomplished with them?

There are a lot of conservatives in the US. I disagree with them on a lot of policy. When I talk to them I find it is not fear of "change" per se. It is fear of losing what little they have. The US media and politicians like to describe the world in "zero sum" terms. In that context, some other group "getting" something means - by definition - "my" group will "lose" something.

The solution is simple: Progressive systems of benefits and taxation, equally applied.