The left and virtue signaling

Have you heard of the phrase “virtue signaling?” It’s a leftist technique that is used all the time. It means you’re “saying all the right things” but not “doing anything about it.”

Target makes a big statement that anything goes in their restrooms. Their stock goes down, people say they’ll refuse to shop there but they say they are standing by their decision. This is virtue signaling. Why does a business like Target do this? Because the left is better at culture jamming with intimidation than the right is. “You’re going to be with us; we’re going to force you to be with us. And we’re going to get out in front of this.”

An ESPN columnist wrote this past weekend about cops and soldiers who sing the national anthem at sporting events. He called it “staged patriotism.” And he called the police and armed forces “a chilling force.” This too is virtue signaling.

What’s the win for someone like Google being deeply leftist? Senior members are extremely wealthy. So why do they celebrate radical leftists but hardly do anything for Memorial Day? It too is virtue signaling. It’s a proactive step to say “leave us alone, don’t come and boycott us.”

The left is watching and they know who is with them. Or they’ll make people’s lives difficult.