Progressives seek to undermine self-reliance and the traditional family—the very cultural underpinnings of American individualism. Don’t take our word for it. According to author Clarence B. Carson in “The World in the Grip of an Idea,” the liberal plan for the world is “to achieve human felicity [happiness, good fortune] by concerting all efforts toward its realization, to root out and destroy the cultural supports to individualism and the pursuit of self-interest.” This is because for the Left the pursuit of rational self-interest is detrimental to concerted action.

Progressives are frequently on the offensive. Their reaction to Sarah Palin is a case in point. It illustrates the Left’s ability to negatively define that which they feel they need to destroy. In particular, liberals have succeeded in portraying conservatives as champions of the status quo. Hence, conservatives are always on the defensive. Some say conservatism works every time it’s tried, but Republicans need to rally people rather than simply trust the public to see that conservative ideas are valid.

Liberals’ efforts to “achieve human felicity on earth through concerted action,” demand the growth of government. Democrats and liberals have a political advantage in attempting to sway public opinion: it’s easy to criticize whatever they target. Conservatives advocate evolutionary reform built on existing political and cultural foundations. They oppose drastic change that expands government. However, this has given liberals a major political advantage: They constantly define attempts to preserve received culture and the traditional understanding of the Constitution as promoting the “failed policies of the past.” The result is that conservatives are often forced to play defense.

The public, however, is becoming aware that the media propagandizes in favor of radical change. Ironically, liberals feel confident to translate public skepticism and resistance as evidence of an unenlightened public. This explains why unpopular legislation can be passed by the “informed elite” despite opposition from the electorate.

Americans don’t want to believe that any group, especially one that claims to be “for the little guy” is out to “destroy the cultural supports to individualism and the pursuit of self interest”—supports that include traditional family values and a belief in American exceptionalism.

Liberal leaders interpreted the last election as a mandate to institute European-style socialism in the U.S.—especially, government control of our medical system. But Democrats made a rare mistake by not passing health care reform first. They were confident the stimulus package would boost the economy and increase chances for a successful take over of health care. But having already spent nearly a trillion dollars on a stimulus package that doesn’t seem to be working, the public is reluctant to spend nearly twice as much on a government-run health plan.

If health care reform had passed first and failed to improve the economy, then that disappointment would have delivered a less direct blow to public confidence in the government’s ability to assess our needs. The failure of the stimulus package puts the whole recovery-through-massive-government-spending thesis at risk. This may save Americans from sliding more quickly toward dependence on government.

Republicans must not rely on Democrats’ mistakes and the continuance of a bad economy to mobilize disenchanted voters. Rather, they need to forge a coalition of moderate, independent, and re-energized conservative voters by exhorting people to have the courage to abandon Big Government “solutions.” To remedy voter cynicism and apathy, the GOP must resist the media’s dismissal of proposed free market solutions, and find ways to bring them to public attention.

Sarah Palin could well be the leader to do this, which is why the media is intent on her destruction. Hopefully, the old saying applies here: “that which does not kill me only makes me stronger.” The mother of a soldier, Ms. Palin connects with military families. The choice she made for her Down Syndrome child presents a heroically quiet example of pro-life values. Even her teenaged daughter’s pregnancy made her more appealing—this is a nuclear family facing the same challenges many average Americans face. In addition to her obvious personal strengths, Ms. Palin’s strong speaking style and excellent convention and stump speeches electrify crowds.

It’s been said that conservatism can triumph only after progressivism collapses. There is no triumph in the continuance of the same old cycle. Conservatives take over after liberals have been voted out, but they find that conservative ideas are more difficult to implement after the country has been moved to the Left by failed liberal “reforms.” Then conservatives receive blame for reinstating the “failed policies of the past.” By taking positive action, Republicans may be able to alter the leftward trajectory of American politics.