I just dont think the left has what is necessary to win.
IMHO, what the 'hard left' really doesn't have the numbers. Not that I think an actual conflict is likely, but the left is a tiny vocal, outspoken and radical percentage of people in America. If it is even a percent, I'd be shocked. Given that traditionally, three percent have served in one form of uniorm or another... I'd guess that the far-out radical left is in the tens of housands. Not the 'millions' or hundreds of millions like they want you to believe.
But they will make themselves sound like millions by using media and violence and 'in your face' tactics to look like they are somehow a majority and give the illusion that they will 'rule' with democracy... if the evil fascist oppressors are removed from their shining path. when really their numbers are a joke and they are anything but a plurality.
To the above posts re. the media and 'keeping people on edge'... absolutely! They also make tiny minorities look like huge scary groups. As much so you keep coming back to the news in order to see how scary things are... or whether you are are at risk. Which means ratings, which means ad revenue. Which means everything to the news business. They also push 'agendas' that are divisive because many get 'into' that business to be activists and push their agendas. J-school now is about churning out activists, not reporters. Look at how all of it plays up the Pride movement (in reality, tiny minority) but that lifestyle represents a huge part of media... TV shows, commercials, films, music... Jamming it down people's throats and making it look like a huge segment of the population, not a statistical blip or abberation.
There was a famous story of Reagan back when he was President of the Screen Actors Guild (or one of the unions) and there was a divisive meeting/get-together/vote or something in a big auditorum. In the crowd, he recognized a known communist agitator who had been 'organizing' in Hollywood for years. The agitator was named Popsky. In front of the audience he was addressing, Reagan stopped and pointed out Popsky and said "I know you, Popsky. I know who you are and what you do. And you are going to try have a handful of agitators in the audience screaming and yelling and trying to sound like hundreds." He told the audience not to fall for it. He knew exactly how it worked, having been threatened with death and disfigurement (the left in Hollywood threatened to throw acid on his face because he was against their radicalism). And he knew how to communicate. It's what made him such a fierce anti-communist and an effective politician. And he knew how a tiny radical group can look massive if they are loud (and violent) enough.
The good news is that when they are small enough and when cross the line of violence and lawlessness far enough, they can be put back in cages. For a generation or two... until people forget. And back they come. Utopian fantasies and violence to make sure you agree with them. Dealing with a few thousand criminal activists is not the hardest thing to do when the forces of law and order can focus on the job at hand.
Sirhr
