examine why famously liberal states — such as New York, California, and Washington — struggle to advance the progressive policies despite little to no Republican opposition.
The problem isn't any difficulty in advancing progressive policies, it's that the policies don't work, and that is obviously what is really going on here. Dig a bit deeper and you arrive at the less comfortable question, can such policies work? Deeper still, what happens when they don't, are they analyzed and altered, or are they doubled down on?
Less comfortable still, are the ideals behind such policies flawed? That is the root of the problem and the thing never addressed. Abstractions such as equity, freedom, safety, peace - these are commandeered, considered the exclusive possessions of the progressive left, unquestionable even where they obviously conflict and reach the level of unattainable fantasy. The author points out the obvious when he states that their policies aren't delivering what they want, but what if what they want is wrong?
Another issue is their constituencies conflict. Can’t build lots of ‘affordable housing’ when getting construction approvals past environmentalists stops them.