Thoughtful, but...I believe the comparison between conservatives and progressive in the middle is a bit off, and why a reasoned case doesn't work. I think there're relatively few progressives with long term goals and plans to get there, but they have tons of useful idiot followers who respond to short term, immediate satisfaction. It amazes me how folks will follow rich powerful elites like puppy dogs for a free phone, contraceptives, or rhetoric and assume their future is secure.