Loved the quote from Reagan. I had never heard it before. I am not a troll, but a Freeper/Lurker. However, I would like to play devil's advocate here.
A little background: I graduated from HS in 1981, thought I was a hippie born too late. Older sisters who indoctrinated me in all things liberal. Joined the US Navy and got married and became rather conservative (GRIN).
Now a displaced Texan living in the socialist state of California. I deal with socialist thinking from my co-workers on a daily basis, serious and tongue-in-cheek, needling and inane. It can be intellectually grounded or simple incredulity at my opposition. Because I work in an industry with lots of ex-military, there are also lots of conservatives.
All that being said, I believe the "Social Justice" ideas are alluring to many. They still think that government can right wrongs, regulate fairly, and promote the common welfare. Many things said by conservatives are discounted 100 percent, written off as propaganda. Thus, they never have to regard ideas that are counter to their own.
Oh, what is the word for the doctrine preached by Rev Wright among others, Liberation Gospel or something? I think there is still some people who believe that the common man needs to be rescued from evil capitalists. Union issues are addressed daily at my workplace. I am a beneficiary of previously negotiated union contracts. I see some value in a union, but I can certainly see how they affect the bottom line, too. Good workers are not happy with those who skate along doing nothing. (I have been told that I am not a good "union brother" for criticizing others like that.)
Finally, 2/3 of my olders sisters still feel strongly that Obama has in mind what's best for Obama. I --like you-- don't fully understand that! They are both wealthy family-oriented professionals and genuinely nice people.
I have talked with one of those 2 who voted for Obama (having had a more distant relationship with the other one). And I can say that she and her husband care about people and have given of their own time and money to help out a family member who was on the skids. They gave more than he deserved, to the point of being taken-advantage-of, to the point of enabling. Looking back, they may regret some things, but probably feel that they did their best.
I guess you could say that we have a political class, an entire generation of enablers. I was not expecting to arrive at this conclusion but there it is, surprise. I battle regularly (having 5 adult children who sometimes need help, sometimes deserve it, sometimes want it) with NOT ENABLING PEOPLE. So from that point of view, I guess I understand those who are well-intentioned.
From what I hear, the first people to be casualties in a genuine Marxist revolution are the idealists in the country who helped bring it about. This is from ex-KGB sources via radio and print news. They say that in a small country somewhere in Latin America or Africa, they had lists of communist sympathizers who were cooperating. These would be the first people to object to the new totalitarian regime once it came about because "that's not what was supposed to happen". And they would be the most dangerous opponents during the early instability.
SO there is my theory for whatever it is worth. I think I might just make this a vanity post.
But your “battling with enabling people” shows you know it does them no good. The enablement of self-destruction needs no further description. And the enabler is only looking to make himself feel better about a problem he doesn’t have the courage or the interest to address in a truly problem-solving manner.
The enabler is the socialist, and the typical democrat voter.