Some thoughtful and intelligent conservatives are fretting over the "epistemic closing" of the conservative "mind" (Julian Sanchez). Billmon elegantly explores this construct. But can "epistemic closing" really explain the hyperbolic, vitriolic, eyepopping craziness of that "mind"?
I contend that this conservative "mind" has lost control of itself, that it is, in fact, an ADDICTED mind. Douthat, Sanchez, and Frum have become the designated drivers at a party where all their buddies are snorting Rage&Unreason. And their buddies can't quit because Rage&Unreason is WORKING FOR THEM. The GOP is poised to take back the House in November. Sober conservatives worry out loud that their crazy brethren have lost all direction and no longer have any idea what they'd do if they did win. But isn't that the way of addiction--eventually it's all about the drug (Rage&Unreason) and the high (WINNING). The Fox/Rove concoction is flowing free and they just can't stop themselves.
The late night House vote on HIR was addicts on parade. An all nighter of GOPers ranting about "socialism", "end of freedom" and "destruction of the best health care system in the world" while outside Michele Bachmann led a chorus of raving tea partiers. Did this guys actually believe themselves? Did it matter anymore? No, because they're ADDICTS. This is WORKING for them.
And Oh How Well It Works! Americans have an increasingly negative view of HCR even as the Kaiser Health Tracking Poll
finds that the public supports many of the provisions of health reform that are set to be implemented in the short term. When asked about 11 specific provisions scheduled to take effect this year, in each case a majority of Americans viewed them favorably, often with bipartisan support.
How do we stop this? Obama has failed at the "intervention" approach. The conservatives, addicted to Rage&Unreason, careen off reality and stagger on, wildly fingerpointing and confabulating as they go. No Iraq War or financial meltdown slowing them down. And the MSM treats these guys like they're the life of the party. Anybody got a 12 Step Program?