The Demise of Liberalism

It is often intriguing to consider just how these "comatose bozos" get into public office, whether it is the state legislature or the U.S. Congress. It would not be likely if a significant number of voters were not voting against their own self-interest. Now how does this happen? For example, remember the uninformed and confused individual who went into a Unitarian Church and shot up the place tragically killing and wounding several unfortunate people. He selected that church because he learned probably from Fox News that is where Liberals congregated. And it was the Liberals who were wrecking the country. He was totally oblivious to the fact that it was the Liberals who were supporting legislation that would be beneficial to him, not the right wing Republicans. But it is the right wing Republicans that have convinced working people that Liberals are destroying the "American Way of Life" because they do not believe in “family values.” It's a kind of culture war of rich versus the culture of the poor. Religious conservatives use the family value ploy to promote Christian morality and actually want government to endorse that morality.

The Republican argument is that American moral values are being destroyed by the Liberals who represent the Eastern intellectual elite. In this way they distract working people from the economic issues that directly affect them. The problem is that there is no longer a strong, aggressive labor movement to keep workers focused on the real issues. The Republican scam artists have a free rein. This is how a state like Kansas with many poor workers votes Republican every election. (Red State) And the Liberals have been totally unable to counter “the corporate assault on workers.” There is no organized protest and no effective peace movement. The Liberal movement is moribund.

The last place to look for moral leadership is in political parties. Politics is a dirty business. As Molly Ivins said, “if you want moral leadership, try the clergy. That's their job.” RIP, Molly.


References:

Frank, Thomas, The Wrecking Crew.
Frank, Thomas, What's The Matter With Kansas.
Ivins, Molly.