"... all the left has to do is LISTEN to the common person and not academics..."
LOL. Yes, whatever you do, do not listen to academics, the people who, full-time, study different cultures and political systems, and ways of thinking.  Do not go with the  knowledge and wisdom universities and places of learning have accrued over the centuries. Go with your emotions and ancient biases over reason. Do not let facts get in the way. You know, just the way ISIS followers do by rejecting western enlightenment thinking. We will all be some much better off then.