I firmly believe that there are elements in the left that are totalitarian. One could, in fact, argue that the left's utopian worldview necessitates fascism, and that even those on the left that do not support totalitarianism are still leading us down that road by alligning themselves with totalitarians.

Except that the same could be said for the right. This argument only holds true if you believe that those on the left or right that support totalitarianism are, in fact, in control of their respective political organizations (Republican and Democratic Parties). That's pretty laughable in my view. While I worry about our freedoms in the days to come, neither party can rule without the consent of the people, both parties know that and it has a tremendous (and healthy) moderating influence.

With that in mind, I find this downright silly.

Not the fact that a pro-Bush blogger was assaulted by thugs that are critical of the president. That's nothing short of serious. Rather I'm talking about the letter that Instapundit approvingly cites:

Something I never wanted to believe seems to be playing out daily: the Democratic party has been overrun by totalitarians. The party is marginalizing old-guard Dems who might (might!) hold differing opinions but who also could be counted on for civility and a rational basis for their arguments...

Last I checked, none of the major Democratic candidates (Kerry, Edwards, Clark, and Dean) made an honest appeal to the "totalitarian leftists." If the Democratic Party were bring overrun by such people, then they likely would have had to in order to win the nomination.

This is totalitarian. So is this. Universal health care, the New Deal, and the Great Society - however flawed - are not. A few thugs in Massachusetts no more make the Democratic Party totalitarian than do some homophobic vigilantes in Wyoming make the Republican Party such.

Let's get a grip, folks.