The problem isn't with any particular politician, or party, or the media. Honestly, the problem is with the average voter.
Think of politicians (and the media, for that matter) as a typical teenager. They're gonna push their limits, testing the boundries of what they can get away with. So long as the voting public (their "parents") don't put their foot down and say "ENOUGH!", they (the politicians) will keep pushing.
In the case of the US, the "parents" have pretty much stopped coming home at night, preferring instead to sit at the bar with their friends. And when someone DOES point out what the "kids" are up to, our general response is to shrug and order another beer (nevermind the house is burning down).
Election cycle before last, there were two referendums on the ballot here in WI: a vote to bring back the death penalty, and a resolution against gay marriage. Both went overwhelmingly conservative ("yes" to the death penalty, "no" to gay marriage). However, the majority of the elections (including the governor's) went liberal. Basically, the voters said they want conservative policies, but want liberals to enact them. Pointing this out, to MANY people, was a waste of breath.
And it's only going to get worse...