Although we have out points where we don't see exactly eye-ti-eye, I think we're having a good, adult discussion free of personal attacks and invective.
If you will, take a look at the maps and admittedly longish commentary in my post #90 since I value your opinion about the "party switch" which Yardstick points out was a leftist lie. As to the 'RAT party moving leftward, my point is that it's been hardcore liberal since at least the latter 19th Century. Consider William Jennings Bryan as one metric to back my assertion. The so-called "Great Commoner" was a radical progressive -- advocating government regulation of private enterprise, favoring Big Labor thugs, fathering the income tax, abolition of the gold standard, direct election of senators and so on.
It was Jennings who influenced Woodrow Wilson (once somewhat of a moderate) to veer hard left. In fact the outright Socialism of Franklin Roosevelt and his handmaiden Frances Perkins (author of the Ponzi scheme now called Social "Security" and the mother of the minimum wage) traces it roots to Bryan. And of course, the policies of hussein descend from those of FDR, and, in turn are those of Bryan.
Maybe the one thing I disagree with President Reagan on is "the democratic party left me". No, the 'RAT party has a long history of championing leftist causes. IMHO, it was a glib campaign slogan to attract the "Reagan Democrats" but didn't reflect the intrinsic anti-American leftism that defines the 'RAT party.
I can’t argue with your historical references as they are as I know them to be.
I think perhaps the democrat party as a whole has exhibited a sharp leftward turn due largely to the fact they purged their moderates. The counter balance is gone.
This should have moved the Republicans to the right, but we have not purged our moderates as they did.
Does that make sense?
I believe that since the democrat rarely lets anyone know in his voter base what he/she actually thinks and believes because if they did they may not get that vote, that this move left has exposed their flanks.
I think the democrat voters, mostly the males, have taken note of this and these are the ones who are shifting gradually to the republicans or independents, particularly in the south.
The females are another story.
Great discussion. I have a lot to say but my old bones are complaining about this chair and I need my beauty sleep..:-)