The marginalization of "The Left" through the years. Not hearing us now at all.

[Douglas Carpenter]

20. only a couple weeks ago I heard one of the Sunday morning infotainment

panel shows going on about the country being split between the Tea Party types who want to cut too much and the "far left" who don't want any cuts to "entitlement programs." They used the words "far left" over and over and over again to refer to people who don't want to accept any benefit cuts for Social Security or Medicare. Never mind the fact that at least 80% of the American population according to a multitude of polls also oppose any benefit cuts to Social Security or Medicare. I thought "far left" meant people like those Trotskyites and Maoists nuts you see at all the big demonstrations - or at least people who are seriously talking about the eminent overthrow of the capitalist system. In the sane and rational world that is what is meant by "far left" - How can "far left" possibly mean supporting an opinion held by 80% of Americans - even most Republicans? So if holding this absolutely mainstream opinion that is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans is far left - and these words not just coming from the GOP but from "the sensible Democrats." So what does that make those of us who think the safety net should be expanded? What does it make those of us who know that many elderly and disabled people cannot possibly continue surviving with what meager income they have now - and thus feel that benefits and services for the elderly and disabled should in fact be significantly improved? That is not even on the table - That is now according to the "sensible Democrats" way beyond "far left" and way beyond the beyond the pale and apparently in the world of left-wing cloud cuckoo land.