I think you nailed it pretty well with the first section. The left has "put its chips" on the idea that your group identity defines you AND your opportunities, so that "it isn't your fault" if you're in a crappy situation. And it very well may NOT be your fault -- but the options when you find yourself in a crappy situation are 1) cry about it and do nothing 2) try to dig your way out of it.

But 2) runs against the whole "there's nothing you can do about it" vibe the left is leaning into -- and that vibe encompasses both economic health AND physical health.

This was obviously a mistake for reason you pointed out above - dysfunctional people can't run functional systems. We need COMPETENCE, but the value system on the left right now is IDENTITY-based.

If we saw more competence come out of the party (from ANY identity), maybe their arguments would be more convincing. But nobody wants their town to be the next Portland. Or Chicago. Or Baltimore. Or Seattle. Or Detroit...........