This subject is one that most people, including many Freepers, have difficulty immobilizing for analysis and commentary.
This article does just that, like a pin through a moth so it can be examined in a box.
One of the most demoralizing aspects of this culture war is that we ARE on the "losing side" and the reasons are not hard to understand. Those of us who stand with conservative principles are akin to the boy at the dike, or the guardians of a border. Our lot is to be on guard, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are constantly vigilant, fighting a defensive battle because we are outnumbered by the combination of the one third who wish to actively destroy conservatism and individualism, and the one third that is composed of good hearted people who are misguided or misinformed, rounded out by those who simply don't care either way.
Liberalism is a one-way ratchet. Cultural territory lost is rarely regained. We become the boy on the dike who can't see all the leaks that develop and who eventually runs out of fingers and toes. We become an outmanned army that rushes forces to and fro inside a besieged position trying desperately to marshal forces to the point of impact to stave off inevitable defeat.
Pretty depressing stuff, I admit.
But then, we see the Taxpayer March on Washington on 9/12/2009. We see the outpouring of support for Chick-Fil-A. And we see the solid, American nature of those who take part in those types of events to express themselves. Even in a blue state like Massachusetts as shown below in this picture I took at a Chick-Fil-A this past Wednesday. This was in Massachusetts, the bluest of the blue states! 200-300 people, later up to as many as 500.
And look at the people in line in my picture. I saw all races, male and female, young and old. All standing in line for hours, just to make a point, and doing it with pleasant countenances and no griping. Make no mistake, it wasn't about food. There were no more than one or two people in line at ANY other food establishment within 10 seconds walking time from Chick-Fil-A.
I saw this, and I thought "Perhaps...just perhaps...all is not lost." 
So, in that fertile frame of mind, I login to Free Republic and see this thread. I am a huge fan of the American Thinker, and I believe it is one of the most important conservative sites out there. As I read this incisive article, there were two passages in this article that jumped out at me:
"...the smooth transition into collectivist authoritarianism has not happened in America as it happened, or is currently happening, everywhere else, because conservatives have not let it happen. The "democratic" left has had to work harder in America than anywhere else -- and, consequently, has had to show its teeth more plainly in America than anywhere else..."
and
"...whereas the European left presents itself, and even sees itself, as a friend of Europe, the American left has been antagonized into presenting itself more and more openly as the enemy of America..."
Both of these passages indicate a key concept put forth by the author, that liberals are taking more aggressive tactics to achieve their goals because there still exists too many people who won't quietly allow the Left to "gently fastens its shackles on the ankles of mankind", and especially not their own ankles. (A brilliantly written passage, by the way. Just superb.)
The reasons this intractability so irritates and enrages the left are twofold, first because it is a demonstration of "American Exceptionalism" (a concept they abhor) and secondly, that quality of American Exceptionalism traces its roots, foundation and staying power directly back to The Constitution of The United States, a document they despise with a deep contempt.
American Exceptionalism is the antithesis of cultural relativism, a concept that is near and dear to their liberal hearts.
For them to admit that there IS something different about America by acknowledging American Exceptionalism would be tantamount to lighting the fuse that demolishes their own foundation. Liberals view the concept of American Exceptionalism as a virulent form of jingoism.
To them, it is diametrically opposed philosophically to cultural relativism, a concept they use to buttress their own twisted concept of equality, a mutated and deformed version of that ideal to attack conservatism and conservatives.
What liberals (and many, if not most conservatives don't either) is that the weapon liberals use so freely and to great effect is easily turned against them. Doing so will, in one stroke, both refute the hideously damaging concepts of cultural relativism while proving and fortifying the concept of American Exceptionalism and highlighting the enduring strength and validity of The Constitution.
The key is: Conservatives believe that all INDIVIDUALS have equal value. We believe in Individualism, and we treat it as something to be treasured. We inherently value equality in people. Liberals believe that all CULTURES (states) have equal value, and they DESPISE individualism. As such, they inherently despise the individual, as long as it is not THEM.