In the 1980s, liberals nursed the fear that we really might be dwelling in an irrelevant cul-de-sac outside of the majority American culture. That kept us sullen and mopey.
Given to moping, describing one who mopes. In a depressed lackadaisical manner, low in spirits
If you mope, you feel miserable and do not feel interested in doing anything. Get on with life and don't sit back and mope. to feel sorry for yourself, without making any effort to do anything or be more happy (Probably from mop, mope (14-16 centuries))