Why are hardcore liberals getting so grumpy? 

An estimated 5,000 people turned up at the State Capitol last week to protest the new national immigration policy that centers on removing uninvited guests who happen to be criminals. Other protests popped up in Colorado Springs.

As with any protest, it’s important to try to understand what, specifically, the protesters are mad about. After all, 5,000 people turning up for anything is significant and worth paying attention.

After reading a raft of media reports, it’s honestly hard to tell. They are against everything, and nothing, at the same time. They speak in generalities, or empty talking points, or just spit out the words “Trump” or “Elon” and get other people nodding. Then they grab the bullhorns and run through the greatest hits of liberal chants. 

Here’s a peek at some of the protesters thanks to several Colorado news organizations.

One guy had a “Teachers Against Deportation” sign. Given the migrant influx that’s caused significant budget pressure in Denver Public Schools and elsewhere, not to mention what must be a frustrating experience for educators and existing students, it’s not clear his colleagues all share his views.

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Another teacher was interviewed, and she took the day off to “stand up for our immigrant staff members and students.” Might it not have been better to support her immigrant students by actually teaching them in the classroom rather than sign-waving at Colfax and Broadway? 

A protester carried a sign that said, “People should not live in fear.” Apparently “people” means Venezuelan gang members who should be free to ply their trade, and sleep well at night, unburdened by the fear of rapid relocation.  

As to the law-abiding, taxpaying citizens who live in poor communities beset by gang violence, their living in fear is apparently of little concern to those who rage against the Trump machine. 

Others stressed the purpose of the protest was to show what a “Day Without Immigrants” is like. What they overlooked is most actual immigrants couldn’t afford the luxury of losing a day’s pay to spout platitudes into bullhorns and clap rhythmically at the Capitol. They had to show up for work. 

A few of the protesters had a little message clarity. 

A follow-up protest was scheduled by the oddly named Party for Socialism and Liberation. (Newsflash to the Party: you can’t have both socialism and liberation. Sorry to be a Socialist Party pooper.)   

This group wants Colorado to be liberated from raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. It calls  ICE “the bad guys in the streets.” It’s not clear why socialists would eschew efforts to send people on no-cost trips to the worker’s paradise in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But they are, one supposes, entitled to their views. 

If they are committed to stand in the gap to keep the extremely violent, marauding Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang members in Colorado, then they should provide a meaningful alternative. Fluff up the pillows in your guest room (or more likely your parents’ guest room) and invite the gang over. They’d love to meet your sister. 

These and other vapid keepers of odd views have learned nothing from the rise of the rational voter in the last election. In many cases, the issue of deporting violent gang members or rooting out weird, excessive government spending — or even the red-hot button issue of keeping biological males out of women’s sports — are getting upward of 80% support from Americans. Those numbers obviously must include many people who identify as Democrats or liberals. 

And yet the bullhorn-and-chant crowd seem to constantly embrace the 20%’s positions. 

Reflexive, rigid ideology, devoid of substance and purpose not only produces silliness but it reminds people exactly why a broad swath of the country couldn’t stomach the idea of four more years of the country listing leftward. 

Maybe the protesters could start by getting some new signs and chants.

Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens and longtime communications and media relations strategist, is senior vice president, communications at the Daniels Fund in Denver. The views he expresses are his own.