The Root Cause of Liberalism . . .

. . . is developmental delay. I've had this theory -- based on what I remember from Developmental Psych and Psych of Learning, along with empirical data from raising and observing kids, added to what I see going on in the world -- that liberals live in a state of arrested, or at best, severely delayed emotional and social development.

Of course -- Surprise, surprise, Ecclesiastes! -- this is hardly original.

My theory, though, is that, while for some it probably does arise from stupidity, ignorance, or even willful ignorance, for others, their liberal mindset may actually be a genetic defect. Their ability to think rationally and objectively, while functioning perfectly well in other areas, e.g. math or science, is simply overshadowed by their emotional response to social and political stimuli. You've met these people, I'm sure. They've heard all the information you have, are totally up on the issues of the day, yet come down on the liberal side of policy. They're the ones that leave you scratching your head and wondering how such a smart person can live with what should be an overload of cognitive dissonance. Easy -- if they're genetically tone deaf to the dissonance!

(Their leadership, mind you are a different story. I think some of them actually know better, but are just plain evil and manipulative, using liberalism as a tool for gaining power through the support of what I have affectionately dubbed the 'Coalition of the Stupid,' a.k.a. 'the undecideds' -- the ones who'll pick their candidate sometime in early November. You've met some of these people, too, no doubt? Perhaps in the checkout line at a convenience store, or -- worse -- in line at the voting booth? *shudder*)

But whatever the cause, some libs do eventually grow up. The latest proof comes from none other than?

George McGovern!

On the disturbing side, this puts the current crop of Democrat candidates to the Left of McGovern -- not good! On the bright side, it shows that even a liberal icon -- one so extreme as to have become synonymous with the ideology -- can eventually outgrow it!