Its current form was born in the hothouse of the 1960's anti-courage (excuse me, anti-WAR) movement, which hardcore socialists and their Soviet masters latched on to and mutated into what we see today. That "coward" (Darn, PEACE) movement was really all about young Americans, used to their easy lives of fun and frolic, not wishing to interrupt same to serve their country, as others had done before them. This reluctance was fed by the Soviet-backed socialists here with long lists of excuses and propaganda.
The result was the coalescing of a solidly Leftist, socialist Democratic party bearing little resemblance to that which had existed only a few decades before.
Sadly, we have had to put up with it and its effects now for far too long, and will probably have to for another few decades at least.
"This reluctance was fed by the Soviet-backed socialists here with long lists of excuses and propaganda."
Very interesting swerve there. The demise of the Democrats begins right after the demise of the Soviet Union. The USSR was likely providing the money for the Rat party, and with that dried up by 1991-92, Clinton was forced to go to China for money in the 90's.
If Bush-41 had tried to win the election in '92, the rats might be near oblivion right now, and terrorism would have been attacked starting in 1993 after the first WTC attack in early 93.
Your post #42 and #50 are good insight and make a good addition to HighWheeler's article. I would like to suggest you combine and try to get this into the hands of someone with more audience.
You just nailed it.