1. Excellent observation, Julia. Here is my take. Democrats (liberals, left, whichever...) are in constant search of a better model, hence uncertainty of their thought. They look abroad for ideas, search different philosophical or religious movements and constantly, constantly debate which way is a better way to a better society. (Redundancy intended)
People that you call "conservatives" are not in search of better society. They already found it and identified it. They are aware that a large country founded on principals of equality and freedom have worked and is working. That model produced the world's largest economy (being 5 times smaller than China in terms of population), the best education, the largest amount of Nobel Prize winners and Olympic champions. Those conservatives realize that people that were left alone to do what they do best - compete to prosper - do not need to look at ancient Greece or Sweden or Utopia for better way of living.
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Хочу лето (или нормальную зиму)