First, thanks to Mark for the support (email’s running particularly nasty). Secondly, I think Mark makes an important point. The American left since the turn of the century has seen their mission as the Europeanization of America. The amazing thing about American politics is that we always greet these efforts as some sort of fresh project. I often think things would be so much easier — for both sides — if liberals would simply admit what they’re up to and conservatives would remember that liberals aren’t up to anything new.