You are probably correct about how Bernie’s followers, who were supposed to be so devoted and fanatical, failed to show up. It could also be that there were never that many of them. Many of the people who voted for Bernie in the primaries four years ago were voting against Hillary. Bernie was the only other person still on the ballot. Those people don’t mind Biden. They just want to beat Trump.

But if everyone wants most of what Bernie is selling, and most Americans do, then why not vote for Bernie? Why did people run away from, as Warren said: “fighting for Big, Structural Change?”

The Answer is trust.

Americans have no faith or trust in other Americans. Leftist policies, big social policies, such as Social Security, Medicare, universal healthcare, free public college ( which was the norm sixty years ago), all require that everyone cooperate and work together. Everyone also needs to pay the taxes that are necessary to make these things real.

But, as you point out, the American body-politic is basically a Center-right majority. Recently, it has been corrupted by lies, voter suppression, Gerrymandering and lots of dark money. We now have a government of lunatics and liars.

One thing that the Conservatives have done for the past 100 years, except during crises and melt-downs, is develop a distain for paying taxes, and a distrust that others will.

America has been scared into believing that the only way to survive is to grab all you can when you can. If you don’t someone else will. Don’t expect others to cooperate or care.

If you don’t believe me, try to buy some toilet paper.