[quote=afx114]Why do the simpleton ranchers get to have the monopoly on what “real life” is like? Maybe they should leave their comfortable ranches and come see how us city folk live from time to time.

Perhaps Allan hasn’t seen some professors ever leave La Jolla, and while I agree that that’s a bad thing, I’ve certainly never seen an Iowa corn farmer hanging out in downtown either.[/quote]

Afx: That’s a valid point and, like I said, I’m not using it to either explain or excuse right-wing behavior.

Both parties suffer from this illness, but the causes and symptoms are different. I was trying to explain why that element of the Democratic Party doesn’t understand that great swathe of Middle America, and never will. I didn’t address why that great swathe of Middle America doesn’t get them, either. Though, in truth, they really don’t appear to care much (my wife has family in Nebraska, and you’d love their take on NYC, DC and San Francisco). In fairness, I find people in the Midwest to be calmer, more hospitable and not as tied up in materialism or money.

Whether we admit it or not, we’re all partisan and we’re all tribal. You can talk about nuance and critical thinking, but the visceral is a powerful driver, too, and the radical elements in both parties know how to push that button.