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However, idealism often leads us to develop a sense of partisan zeal that is problematic in the long run. One must recognize that, for better or worse, the nation will never be strongly united behind either side of the political spectrum (certain instances notwithstanding). True, over the last century there has been favoritism among the populace for one group or another, but such periods of overwhelming support are often short and shaped by external events.
Those who consider themselves to be part of the middle or far left of the spectrum, those who are idealists, must accept that a large portion of people of the United States, at this particular time in history, are either ambiguous about politics (centrists), lean right, or are hard-core reactionaries. When one examines the political trends since the fall of Nixon and the end of Cold War liberalism, one sees conclusive evidence that the country has been moving in a rightward direction.
At this point in history, the idealist liberal contingent is preaching to a vacant crowd. The left is seen, unfairly, as a rabid force of screaming heads, complaining about every little thing and speaking with an air of elitism. This is, no doubt, reinforced by the right wing of the media, specifically through talk radio and cable news. But this association of liberalism with elitist idealism is harmful to the overall image of non-conservative politicians.
American history, on the whole, affirms that the country is, and has been, a mostly conservative nation. There are major exceptions: the agrarian Populist movement, the Progressive Era that followed the Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age, the New Deal Era, the Cold War liberal movement. However, these represent only short bursts of liberalism, mostly the result of economic hard-times or war.
The plan should be to be pragmatic. Just as we look upon the screaming extremists of the left with derision, the center and right look upon the screaming left the same way. Unfortunate, yes, but we must accept what we cannot change, and what we cannot change is America's psychological history. If we want reform, we must be willing to compromise with our opponents.
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