I see Vietnam as a key signifier, but the whole so called counter culture was Middle Americas worst fears realized: corrupted youth, values flaunted, authority disobeyed. When real movements on progressive issues such as social rights began to take root, the fear went wild- look at Goldwaters 68 campaign, or Reagans run in 76. It took some time to work up a respectable message (no gay rights just scans better than no blacks on out drinking fountains), and lot of money from corporate & social interests (Falwell & co certianly couldn't rake in the big money with a love thy neighbor message), but eventually they had a reliable bloc of issue voters that have been pivotal in every election since 1980.
But it's also diminishing returns: social progressivism isn't something you can roll back without something like a revolution. The line on what's acceptable to fear keeps getting lowered as people see working women do ok, gays aren't really child molesters, and immigrants for the most part want to do right for thier own families & communities. When you run out of things you can legitimately fear, all you are left with is- well, the Grand Old Party circa 2009. People forget that while they are a very loud bunch, a considerable majority of this country disagrees with almost all of thier issues..,
So the wheel goes, in fits & starts- we will keep moving forward, no matter how slowly.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-10-15 06:24 pm (UTC)But it's also diminishing returns: social progressivism isn't something you can roll back without something like a revolution. The line on what's acceptable to fear keeps getting lowered as people see working women do ok, gays aren't really child molesters, and immigrants for the most part want to do right for thier own families & communities. When you run out of things you can legitimately fear, all you are left with is- well, the Grand Old Party circa 2009. People forget that while they are a very loud bunch, a considerable majority of this country disagrees with almost all of thier issues..,
So the wheel goes, in fits & starts- we will keep moving forward, no matter how slowly.