I remember going to New Orleans on business many moons ago, then one of the gun crime capitals of USA. Was talking about if with cab driver as we crossed lake ponchatrain. He was unconcerned, it didn't worry him as it was all black on black crime (although he phrased it less subtly) so he felt perfectly safe.

As for Liberal equating to enlightenment, I think things have moved on past that. Only the enlightened liberals see themselves as enlightened. I suspect most people therefore see them as over enlightened by and large.