The principle feature of American liberalism is sanctimoniousness. By loudly denouncing all bad things -- war and hunger and date rape -- liberals testify to their own terrific goodness. More important, they promote themselves to membership in a self-selecting elite of those who care deeply about such things. It's a kind of natural aristocracy, and the wonderful thing about this aristocracy is that you don't have to be brave, smart, strong or even lucky to join it, you just have to be liberal.

Summary

This quote contends that the major characteristic of American liberalism is the tendency to be self-righteous. Liberals, according to the quote, vocally condemn various societal issues to showcase their own moral superiority. By doing so, they elevate themselves into an exclusive group of individuals who genuinely care about these problems. This quote suggests that liberal ideology establishes a kind of effortless and innate privilege, as one can become a part of this "elite" group merely by adhering to liberal beliefs, without necessarily possessing other desirable traits like bravery or intelligence.

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