In the H.G. Wells' classic novel The Time Machine, the future is inhabited by blond, weak-willed cattle/humans called the Eloi. They live in an Eden of provided sustenance. Giving by the hidden hand of the treacherous Morloks, techno-trolls living under the ground in their miles of caverns. A cannibal culture that harvests the easily manipulated Eloi as a food staple, on a regular cycle.
The reason I present this tiny bit of science fiction trivia is because I want to draw a comparison between the Eloi and a certain folks who would like to think of themselves as being liberal. Lots of former conservatives and undecideds are giving the "other side" a look. The problem is, their notion of what that means is the blurred words of the MSM on the topic. One evening, a couple of weeks ago, I got into a political talk with a friend who recently declared himself to be a "Lefty" simply based on the qualification that he agrees Bush is stupid.
Then we got onto the topic of our ailing middle class. I said "We're being clobbered. They're robbing us of our future." His demeanor changed dramatically. I could sense the discomfort.
He smirked. His snide response stunned me,
"Gee, why don't you say how you really feel?"
I asked him, "Isn't that what we're supposed to do in a free society?"
He said, "Whoa-whoa, slow down. This conversation's getting WAY too heavy."
"Well maybe that's because you haven't worked the brain muscle in a while. Denim bellbottoms with a diamond studded peace sign in your lapel does not a liberal make. If you believe the MSM's definition of a Liberal, you're not a Liberal."
He defended his non-position "I voted Democratic this last election. I'm a Middle-Of-The-Road liberal. I still kind-of agree with the conservative agenda in some ways. I'm open to both sides."
"How can you be when you don't know what both sides are really about?"
"Hey, I voted... for Paris Hilton's sentence to be commuted. That's civic action." An ornamental liberal -- just sitting there... waiting to be bought.
And there you have it folks, the blind spot while driving on the left. The need to appear "normal" instead of being open to change leaves one an ornamental liberal -- just sitting there... waiting to be bought.