Overton Window? From Infogalactic:
The Overton window, also known as the window of discourse, is the range of ideas the public will accept. It is used by media pundits. The term is derived from its originator, Joseph P. Overton (1960–2003), a former vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, who in his description of his window claimed that an idea's political viability depends mainly on whether it falls within the window, rather than on politicians' individual preferences. According to Overton's description, his window includes a range of policies considered politically acceptable in the current climate of public opinion, which a politician can recommend without being considered too extreme to gain or keep public office.
Overton described a spectrum from "more free" to "less free" with regard to government intervention, oriented vertically on an axis, to avoid comparison with the left-right political spectrum. As the spectrum moves or expands, an idea at a given location may become more or less politically acceptable.
The article includes this graphic which explains it very well:
This post is what got me thinking about the Overton Window - from Red State:
The Democrat-Left: Stupid, Insane – And Very, Very Violent
We are in the midst of a seriously, seriously dangerous ramp up by the radical Left. Not since the 1960s have these people been this riled up, angry – and prone to fits of violence.
The 1960s gave us murderous groups like the Weather Underground (founders of which launched future president Barack Obama’s political career) and the Black Panthers – which marred our existence for years and years.
But there is at least one HUGE difference between then and now.
Then: The comparatively moderate Democrat Party was considered another enemy of the Left – for being comparatively moderate. Which is why the Left openly assaulted the 1968 Democrat Convention in Chicago.
Now: What were once vices, have now become habits. The radical Left – owns and operates today’s Democrat Party.
The Democrat National Committee (DNC) – is co-run by a self-avowed Communist (Tom Perez) and a radical anti-Jew Nation of Islam adherent (Keith Ellerson).
In the 2016 Democrat presidential primary, Hillary Clinton was the alleged moderate alternative to Communist Bernie Sanders. But when both were in the Senate – her voting record was but 0.1% less Left than his. Oh – and there were five Senators more Left than the both of them.
I lived through the 1960's and 1970's and have zero desire to revisit them. People have not learned their history. There are glimmers of hope though.
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