I do think it is although it takes an awfully long time.
Look...Obama did NOT get gun control even though the CT shooting took place in the first 100 days of his second term when he had maximum political capital. In addition he had to agree to sequestration which SLOWS the growth of Gov't (yes, I know it doesn't cut it but even to SLOW the growth is a Democrat taboo). In addition, the Democrats did NOT succeed in getting rid of the Bush tax cuts for 99% of us.
Now we have the public blaming the Dems just as much for the shutdown as the GOP...which is a big change from what usually happens.
The only tools the left have and use are Fear and Greed. It is a very simple toolkit but they use it so well. Only two tools. It seems like we could be smarter than to allow them to use it so effectively.
Fear, Greed (and "Hate" I might add and I think I'd put that on top of the list) are what they've always used. And I don't think it's mostly about being smarter (although that is certainly part of winning the war if not the battles). I think a huge part of it is visceral emotion on the part of the masses and the ability of demagogues to manipulate it.
I had put the religion of the left based on Fear, Greed and Envy but thought Greed and Envy are cousins... both breed hate but you are correct... Hate is a tool to divide and conquer.
I have taken slim hope in the items you mention though I to take your point.
Smarter may not be the real issue... we don’t think the way they do because we don’t live in the same mind set they do.
I’ve said that wars are started by evil, power hungry, greedy people and that hard working, family loving, God fearing people finally get a belly full of it all, fight back and have always kicked the stuffing out of any despot. Then they go back to their quiet lives until the next miserable SOB comes along. Wash, rise, repeat.