>The attack from the left is harder to grasp, partly because in America “liberal” has come to include an illiberal left.

I had been one of the illiberal progressive in the past. I feel the illiberalness comes from a sense of danger. It had felt like the world was turning upside down, and I was morally obligated to fight for happiness and safety. A very Hobbesian "a war of all against all" feeling.

I got out of the hole only when I realized that sustainable happiness can be attained without sacrificing others. It was really a big, life changing recognition.