Great post. The only problem I have with the author’s take is that it doesn’t go far enough in its explanation. The U.S. had a ‘hard Left’ for a long time. Two major things happened in the 1960’s, and one in 1989-91, that put us on the path to where we are today.
The first has many causes and many perspectives, but the fact that it happened and it’s effect on voting patterns and public policy are clear: the permanent radicalization of the black minority. Whether used consciously or not, overtly talked about or nervously hushed-up, race is now a huge dividing line in American politics and the Republican party is largely the White party. Again, opinions on how, why, and what to do about it are many - but it is the situation.
Second, beginning in the 60’s the nation’s culture, much of its press and its academia were taken over by Marxist and anti-capitalist, anti-traditionalist, anti-Christian and anti-white groupthink. Even then, there were times when the majority of americans could revolt against that, notably in Reagan’s era. The rallying point seemed to be the patriotism and moral clarity of the Cold War and the evil spectre of the USSR.
Third, the fall of the Soviet Union. We all thought that was a signal of victory and the end of Marxism as legitimate political theory and practice. I think it seems to have removed the example we all could point to of the utter failure and utter evil of Marxism. It also removed the term ‘communist’ and even ‘Marxist’ as effective ridicule. Somehow being an actual Nazi, or at least being thought of as one, is instant death to someone’s political, academic or cultural career (and for good reason.) But being a communist/Marxist is both able to be fashionable and somehow shielded from receiving an accurate label. Those, like us here at FR, who call people Marxists are seen as ‘nuts’ or ‘divisive’ while actual Marxists are seen as cool and ‘progressive.’ Because there’s no USSR for them to claim allegiance to or publicly back (and reveal their anti-Americanness) they are never called out as hating America in the general public.
Just my three cents worth...
Somehow being an actual Nazi, or at least being thought of as one, is instant death to someone’s political, academic or cultural career (and for good reason.) But being a communist/Marxist is both able to be fashionable and somehow shielded from receiving an accurate label.
Particularly since they are, in effect, one in the same.
Take care.
The Left has seized the language. Thus pederasty is now a synonym for merriment, and who’s against being merry, abortion and infanticide are choice, and who’s against choice, and Communism is progressive, and who among us is against progress?!
Oh, and so called “racism”, a concept invented in Moscow, instantly associates the “racist” with the likes of the good Dr Mendele, whereas in reality what’s called “racism” is no more than ethnic rivalry or ethnocentrism. The Left has seized the conceptualization of ideas in the culture and imposed it on us all with no opposition from the clueless Right, which has readily adopted these euphemisms and misdirections as their own (just watch the language used on this forum.)
The Republic is all over but the shouting. The reason why is apparently not obvious, since few mention it, but it is there plain as day for all to see
The Founders warned against granting the Franchise to non freeholders and those under 21.
Over the past 90 years their advice went unheeded and it is these very groups that are responsible for the election of the socialists who have destroyed the country a State at a time.
This doesn’t get solved at the ballot box.
This doesn’t get solved by continuing to allow imbeciles, welfare recipients, convicts, children,and most importantly, PEOPLE WHO DON’T PAY TAXES, to vote.
When it hits the fan (most likely in the aftermath of a major WMD attack) its going to be bloody, quick, and a real shock to the marxists riding high today.
There will be a provisional military government and homosexual socialist crooks like Barney Frank will be SOL.
And only freeholders and veterans will once again be entrusted with the franchise.