That the left has ceased to exist is a matter of little dispute

And I should really say the "mainstream left" here.

There is still a left, but the fucking fifth column third-wayers are more busy fighting against their left flank than their right flank. And so the wingnuts on the right can spin the centre-left as unserious, irresponsible and outside the mainstream.

Meanwhile, on the right wing, they embrace wingnuts who belong in a padded cell as serious, reality-based analysts who tell people the hard truth and present the unpalatable choices. They don't fight against their right flank - because unlike the third-wayers, the right wing know perfectly well who their enemies are.

Weimar all over again...

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.