I think we're dealing with two completely different mind sets. To brush them all off as if they are void of reason is a bit on the condescending.
The liberal mindset is based on a false foundation. Most don't even know that because they don't know what their foundation is. So the construct arguments and rationale based on that foundation. It is why what they say and do sound bizarre and out of touch with reality.
The conservative (not Republican) mindset is based on what is. It is looking at the real world and trying to make sense on what benefits the people. Many of the ideas might not be popular because they require work or change on the part of the individual. None of that is popular with the left.
Republicans, as the party leadership goes) mostly believe in the same thing as the Democrats. They just try to rephrase it or use double talk to convince or trick conservatives to go along with it.
Democrats, as a party leadership goes) are no different than the liberals. The are so void of reality that they actually think socialism and communism are good ideas. They've been told that nazis and fascists are bad so they redefine those words however they want to without realizing never accepting the fact that nazism is socialism and fascism is just a slight modification of socialism.
Libertarians are spot on when it comes to economics. But too many of them want to legalize narcotics and prostitution.
