To the democrat, and to the ignorant, who do not perceive the way of liberty and posess a childish concept of democracy, their freedom is merely the choice as to which despotic ruler will make decisions for them. Democracy and freedom to these people is little more than a choice between dictators (or parents), either from the right or from the left. They have not knowledge nor desire for true liberty which requires them to make decisions for themselves and reap its rewards or consequences.
To live and self-govern, without a king/dictator, is beyond their understanding, and anyone who suggests such a thing is, to them, an extremist.