Myths Of Leftist Unity
There is this odd and self-serving myth be perpetuated in American politics and society. It’s called the Democratic Coalition – a supposed army of Left-of-Center activists, agitators, and politicians unified under the banner of the Democratic Party in their purpose to weaken and destroy Conservatism and reshape America into a new nation adhering to a Liberal / Progressive ideology.
Sadly for these Leftists – but happily for America and Americans – this is a myth, a falsity based upon willful ignorance and delusion. There is no unity of purpose within the ranks of the Liberals.
If there is anything the nonconformist hates worse than a conformist, it’s another nonconformist who doesn’t conform to the prevailing standard of nonconformity.
– Bill Vaughan
The late columnist, Bill Vaughan summed it up very well; the very nature of the Left, inherently to-date counter cultural in outlook, prevents them from building a true coalition within their ranks. Even now, a little more than a year after achieving historically unprecedented power, they’re falling apart and beginning the descent into sectarian squabbling.
This is something that we should always remember and capitalize upon when and where we’re able.
Tags: America | Democrats | Leftists | Liberals | Politics | Progressives | Society
March 19th, 2010 at 10:28 am
“This is something that we should always remember and capitalize upon when and where we’re able.”
And by “we” I assume you mean we libertarians and evangelicalists 😉
March 19th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Paradigm,
Certainly I mean libertarians and evangelicalists – along with the rest of the solid, right-thinking citizens of America. 😉
Unlike the Left, conditioned to be a counter-culture and in opposition to America as it is, the rest of us work well together and look out for each other with at least a bit of diligence.
Haven’t you heard the Leftists whining about how we “march in lock-step?”
March 19th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I think America is too large to have any specific dominant culture, although Palin certainly promotes the idea that the real America is mainly white rednecks.
But left and right can of course be defined in different ways. I stick to the definition that says thatLeft simply means some form of social justice or equality, rather than being Marxist, counter-culture or whatever. Huckabee is actually a leftist according to that definition.
Being a socially conservative leftist like him I guess I’m counter-culture here in progressive Sweden. But in America I wouldn’t be.
March 19th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Hmm … I sense a bit of elitism here. So the left aren’t Americans, right?
Personally, I find being a conservative hard to understand. There are many good quotes that could be thrown out, one of my favorites is:
A conservative is someone who makes no changes and consults his grandmother when in doubt. [Woodrow Wilson]
Standing in one place and being adamant at NOT changing anything is a sure way to be left behind as the world progresses. Disliking liberals is one thing, calling them un-American, less American or the like is simply wrong. Without the Liberals, the USA would still be firing muskets and plowing fields with horses 😉
March 19th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Paradigm,
Thankfully, America does have a specific dominant culture. It’s not quite as narrow as Palin would try to have you believe, but it certainly doesn’t include a great deal of the Liberals’ ideology.
zhann,
Face it, zhann – if someone doesn’t believe in the value of the American culture and seeks to fundamentally change its society, how can one be described as an American in any manner other than a sad accident of birth?
You also conveniently conflate technological progress with changes in the underlying culture. It doesn’t work that way. If anything, the Statism and “equality of results” mandates that the Liberals push would stifle most technological invention rather than spur it.
March 21st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
I don’t think that Palin represents a narrow slice of America, at all. Unfortunately, the media has provided this picture in their rather successful character assassination of her, so it’s troubling to hear otherwise enlightened individuals perpetuate this myth.
zhann, not only will I reinforce what jonolan wrote, but I have to point out that just because you choose your own definition, does not make it accurate.
I am conservative in my interpretation of the Constitution, and not much else. In my perspective, anyone who wants to change or undermine the Constitution is committing an un-American act.
It is the principles of the Constitution that has allowed us to progress into the most prosperous nation the world has ever known, and in fact become the basis for the world’s economy. Without us, everyone else would still be in the late 19th century, and the Left wants to drag us back there.
No thanks, I’ll stick with the Conservatives. Their lack of change provides real progress.
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 am
Charles,
Certainly Palin represents a broad swath of Americans on a per capita basis and those she represents are the heart and soul of this beleaguered land. Don’t believe for a moment that I think otherwise.
On the other hand, her rhetoric revolving around what it is to be an America is slightly narrower than what I hold to be true.