The world has changed a lot in 50 years. Fewer and fewer independent businesses. More big corporations. More government agencies and employees. More activists. More people who want government grants.
Many college educated people are indoctrinated, believe what they see on the news, and are susceptible to propaganda. The rest of the country isn’t as easily swayed by the news, but that means that many tend to go on voting Democrat as they always did. Add in people who believe they have to vote Democrat for ethnic or identity reasons and that’s close to or more than a majority of voters. That’s why it’s not 1972 or 1984 anymore.
Why aren’t Republicans better fighters? Democrats want stuff from the government. Politicians make deals: I support what you want if you support what I want. Republicans want less from the government, and they want the government to do less. It’s hard to make deals on that basis. Also, Republicans are bound by notions of decency that the Democrats let go of years ago.
It has served it's purpose and (imo) it's time for communities to shut 'em down (don't send your kids) and find SOME way to steal good teachers FROM the local school and pay them what they earn.
I don't know if it CAN be done, but I learned something from watching Ben Hur, , , , The question is answered; "You once asked how do you fight against an idea ? . . I'll tell you . . . with ANOTHER idea"