I believe as many us do that we have not learned from history. That corporate power plays and sheer greed have over taken common sense and the will to better humankind. After all it is not as if we haven't seen before what this country is like when workers have no rights to better their lot, or the myriad of governmental departments, saftey nets, rules, regulations, and strong middle class did not exist. The reason, in fact, they do exist is because generations over 2 centuries fought for them. So then why do so many vote against their own interest and become sacrifical lambs?
I humbly offer my own theory not steeped in statistics or hours of research on written material that others on this site are more adept at then I. But rather from observation, reading and questioning.
People are subjected to continual threats of terrorism, natural disaster, diseases, a warming climate, divergent cultures, an ever complex economy, technological explosions among others, day in and day out. None of which they comprehend or control. So quite ironically at a time when we are living longer lives with more at our finger tips...many are quite simply scared of our mortality, and quality of life.
They are in fact, running in reverse. As Chris Berman on ESPN would say they are going "back, back, back"...to whatever perceived time that was easier, better, and they were in control. They are fed constant imagery of that better place and time by the Republicans who can package it over and over and mix it up with loyalty, patriotism and the 'we'll take care of you' attitude. Not to mention of course that they can strip the knowledge of history from the up and coming generations.
Run...run...run until they out run time. Trampling every advance that has been gainedr over time because it's just to scary to look ahead. Back, back, back until we have no where to run.
But there is hope in the nobel fight we fight in the Wisconsin's of the world! But let's remember you also need to win the hearts and minds of others as we learned in such places as Afghanistan. If we only fight and do not address the retreaters fear and assure them that they are inlcuded and have the power of a better future up ahead then running in reverse will only become faster and faster.