The heart of the matter is that liberals are incapable of questioning their presumption of being the force for Progress, and as such always repair behind arguments about process when their policies are unpopular. Meyerson gives away the game when he writes that reform is necessary to enable "decisive legislative action and sweeping social change," because apparently "sweeping social change" is what government must be doing at all times.

Here's an interesting thought experiment to try out on a people-loving liberal: If we had a national referendum, and a majority voted to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency, would it be legitimate in the eyes of "Progressives"? If you think the liberal compass on democracy is spinning fast now. . .