The Unteachable Ignorance of the Red States.

Or How Liberals Intend to Heal the Divide

Jane Smiley, of Slate, displays for all to see the incredible arrogance that got the Democrats to where they are today.

Why Americans Hate Democrats—A Dialogue -
The unteachable ignorance of the red states.
I say forget introspection. It's time to be honest about our antagonists. My predecessors in this conversation are thoughtful men, and I honor their ideas, but let's try something else. I grew up in Missouri and most of my family voted for Bush, so I am going to be the one to say it: The election results reflect the decision of the right wing to cultivate and exploit ignorance in the citizenry. I suppose the good news is that 55 million Americans have evaded the ignorance-inducing machine. But 58 million have not. (Well, almost 58 million—my relatives are not ignorant, they are just greedy and full of classic Republican feelings of superiority.)

Can you say "transference"?

The unmitigated gall of Smiley believing that 58 million people who don't agree with her down the line are ignorant, and greedy astounds me. I keep thinking that I've seen everything; that liberals couldn't surprise me anymore. Then I see their stupefying arrogance, and elitism over the last few post-election days, and I realize that we have not yet begun to plumb the depths of Liberal's feelings of self-importance.

This self-importance is the root of their divisiveness, and is why acting as a loyal opposition is beyond their abilities. They are incapable of even conceiving of legitimate disagreement. If you disagree you must either be stupid, or disingenuous. They seem to have no other explanation for, or tolerance of, other opinions.

The rest of Smiley's article is even more offensive and disconnected; desperate. It Fisk's itself as you read. But you should read it just so you know what we're up against in terms of expecting a bi-partisan-reach-across-the-aisle-heal-the-divide effort on the part of liberals.