The Status Quo Left

Do you ever believe that the left isn't the progressive-minded group they claim to be? Well you're not alone. Michael Barone, probably the most knowledgeable expert of American politics around, has written an article that aptly points out the transformation the left has taken since the days of the New Deal. Whereas the left use to push for reforms such as economic security and desegregation, they now stand adamantly against change. If there is any doubt about this, here are three examples:

• Democrats' opposition to Social Security reform. They claim that there is no crisis in Social Security and that Republicans are trying to "ruin" the program.
• Democrats' opposition to Tort Reform. Trial Lawyers are one of the biggest contributors to the Democratic Party and anything to lessen their influence is to be strictly opposed. Nevermind the fact that it will lower the costs of health-care and keep good doctors from leaving medicine.
• Democrats' near uniform opposition to President Bush's Mideast policy. To the left, President Bush's efforts to reform the middle east by introducing democracy in the region, especially in Iraq, are nothing but neo-conservative fantasies that are ignorant of the fact that democracy can't thrive in the culture of the region.

These are just a few examples of what is developing into a troubling pattern of resistance to change by the left. Mr. Barone's article really hits it on the head, the American left no longer pushes for change and reform, leaving those Americans who recognize the need for reform hard pressed to vote for them.