You are absolutely right to raise this issue. We live in a frightening time.
I don't believe that we are fitted with a left or a right conscience. On such fundamental things as children, a healthy society ought to easily cut through partisan distractions and the various camps citizens may occupy on most issues. What conditions lead to a blurring of our sense of right and wrong though? Despair, greed, competition, selfishness, a general climate of fear, disregard for law?