Economy
When you lose the New York Times on social liberalism, there's no more denying it: "Europeans Fear Crisis Threatens Liberal Benefits."
Across Western Europe, the "lifestyle superpower," the assumptions and gains of a lifetime are suddenly in doubt. The deficit crisis that threatens the euro has also undermined the sustainability of the European standard of social welfare, built by left-leaning governments since the end of World War II.
Nevermind that capitalists and conservatives have foretold this bit of bad news for half a century now, nor that the Times is far too generous in cushioning the news within the aura of mere "fear." European-style "social democracy" is failing (regardless of whether Europe fears it or not), and U.S. Democrats are on the verge of transforming America into the same unsustainable system.
This isn't a matter of learning from history - it's just a matter of looking out the window and being aware of the world around you. The sky really is falling, the wolves really are among the flock and the writing really is on the wall.
Nothing demonstrates the self-delusion of liberalism like this sudden shock that their "benefits" are in danger. Government produces very little; it has always relied on the dynamo of capitalism to generate "surplus." They've damned near killed the goose that lays the golden eggs, and they have the audacity to be surprised!
And exactly when will they wake up and figure out that "regulation" doesn't work either. Whether it's the financial sector, or the "asleep at the switch" oil regulators, or FEMA, the government is always a day late and a dollar short. Government "benefits" are seldom worth the price we pay for them.
And don't get me started about education!
They will never learn ... they will drive this train off the rails, all the while blaming anything else that's convenient.
Liberalism is an intellectually lazy worldview. It requires no effort to simply wish for something and blame others when it does not come about.
It is clearly a two-class system, with those in the ruling class seeking to expand their hold on those ruled, and those ruled blindly believing it other than what it is.
They hide behind a distorted concept of "social justice" and "compassion," which is really little more than idolatry ... with the idol being themselves.
Liberals and Progressives are the Scribes and Pharisees of our time.
California is close behind.