The Four-Pointed Cane Theory of Conservatism

As I watch the ever-growing influence of conservatism taking over America (especially the knee-jerk, xenophobic variety represented by Christianists), I've wondered why this should be the case. Why does it seem that Americans, who have traditionally been a people willing to explore new frontiers, embrace fresh ideas and seek after innovative solutions, are becoming more and more reactionary, insulated, and tradition-bound? Why is "stay the course" seemingly the mantra of success in American politics?

This is obviously a complex question that I can't hope to answer completely in a few paragraphs. (Or even a few books, if I had the time -- or intellectual prowess -- to tackle such a subject.)

But one thought that occurs to me is that some of this is due entirely to demographics. It's clear that as people get older, they tend to embrace the values established in their youth and are less likely to change their minds. Opinions are labile in adolescence, but as the joints begin to lock up, so does the mind. The older a person is, the more likely they are to vote Republican. (Interestingly enough, the fatter a person is, the more likely they are to vote Republican, as well.) Given that science has greatly extended the average lifespan, conservatives aren't dying at the rates they used to, and therefore conservative voters hang on to vote in more elections, therefore swinging the country more and more to the right.