Source: JimBovard.com
by James Bovard
“How would people react if, on the third time their broken-down car was towed to the same repair shop for the same problem, the swaggering mechanic told them: ‘Sure — the engine doesn’t work today but — follow me on this — next year, you will drive from coast to coast, and get 90 miles to the gallon!’ Yet if a politician promises to fix the world, people applaud and follow him regardless of previous crashes. … Idealism encourages citizens to view politics as a faith-based activity, transforming politicians from hucksters to saviors. The issue is not what government did in the past — the issue is how we must do better in the future. Politicians’ pious piffle is supposed to radically reduce the risk of subsequent perfidy. Idealistic appeals permit politicians to stack the deck in listeners’ minds.” (05/27/25)
https://jimbovard.com/blog/2025/05/27/the-deadly-perils-of-predatory-idealism/