Genetic markers.

The kicker is I tried hard to thwart those social influences but college snared my son who believes he's libertarian. My daughter is more independent minded conservative but still has moment that make me question. Scary indeed.

Makes me happy to have no children.

Insecurity. Lack of confidence. Fear. All things being infused into young American children throughout their school years and reinforced by media daily. Fundamentally its destroying self-reliance and confidence and is the only true way to bring America down.

Reminds me of this (and is eerily reflect in contemporary society in many ways these days)
"When an opponent declares, “I will not come over to your side,” I calmly say, “Your child belongs to us already… What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.”
Adolf Hitler

What makes "normal" people go along with statist ideas?
Because they are compelling and true on a personal level!! We as humans DO want to help and care for those we love - children, etc.
Yet, that does not imply that the government should do it.
Most people refuse to differentiate.
So, I too have banged my head against a wall for years and have next to nothing to show for it. Yet I carry on.
Keep at it.

Some advice, for whatever it is worth.
You want their approval and acceptance too much, thus it bothers you.
Try, very difficult to do, try to teach from on high. Don't worry if they get it. But keep trying.
Have confidence that you are making some small difference - because you are.

Guilt, in a word. A refusal to believe they could have earned their success, in large part because it admits the less successful have not done so and passes responsibility for that failure to others.