Prosperity does not help leftists create dependence on big government. So leftists will cripple society, and blame the consequences on conservatives. They are not just taking advantage of crises for that. They are creating them when they can. Their motive? Power. Their base is motivated by a genuine idealistic desire to create utopia, and even if aware of history, they are willing to believe every lie their power hungry leadership spins that utopia can still happen - such as in "democratic socialism." (Not a new idea by the way.)