Conservatism

Hi,
I am really wondering why all this swing to conservatism. eg Bush et al and the new pope etc.
I don't have a finger on the pulse of why this is happening. anybody able to help me out? Are we too poltically correct or are people unable to ascertain good or bad, or too busy so they settle for hard and fast no exception rules.... Pls let me know your thoughts. Thanks

I know some people say that the "word" must not change. That it must be taken literally as it is read. BUT I just can't accept the fact that , in my case Christianity, is still the same as before. It means that we have not gotten any closer to God or understanding Gods' teachings then we did 2000 years ago. That is quite a condemnation of people and society. ( Hey I will buy into the fact that many people haven't grown or been exposed to revelationary teachings, but please not everybody!!