George Rebane
In 31oct14 WSJ article of the same name Kate Bachelder lists and expands on the ten high ranking pre-evidential and counter-evidential beliefs that our progressive cadres have accepted as revealed truth. They have done this with an intensity and a 'reasonable basis' equal to that of the most devout fundamental Christians whom they deplore. Ms Bachelder reminds us again that – “A hallmark of progressive politics is the ability to hold fervent beliefs, in defiance of evidence, that explain how the world works—and why liberal solutions must be adopted.”
Regular readers will recognize that all of these items have been extensively covered and debated in these pages. I think that seeing these ten (there are, of course, more) in one place is useful as we go to the polls next Tuesday. The bases for these beliefs being called superstitions are also summarized in the article (here).
1. Spending more money improves education.
2. Government spending stimulates the economy.
3. Republican candidates always have a big spending advantage over Democrats.
4. Raising the minimum wage helps the poor.
5. Global warming is causing increasingly violent weather.
6. Genetically modified food is dangerous.
7. Voter ID laws suppress minority turnout.
8. ObamaCare is gaining popularity.
9. The Keystone XL pipeline would increase oil spills.
10. Women are paid 77 cents on the dollar compared with men.


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