One of the core pathologies of someone on todays political left is their irrational tendency to take a position that is opposite to their own best interest. Robert Frost said “A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.”

Looking back over the years, as I meandered through the political landscape I remember repeatedly seeing evidence of this. However, it wasn’t until I heard Frost’s quote that it all crystallized. As the truth of it sank in, I suddenly realized why it had been so difficult to make sense of liberal positions.

Because they don’t make any sense.

It makes no sense that someone would openly despise and disparage the country that they live in, while enjoying the many benefits that such a great country affords them. It makes no sense that liberals would practically worship the murderers and rapists that prey on us all, holding candlelight vigils trying to see that they escape justice. It makes no sense that liberals rail against free market capitalism which has elevated the standard of living for hundreds of millions, while pining away after failed Marxist economic systems that have caused nothing but poverty and misery for anyone unfortunate enough to have been subjected to them.

It makes no sense, but from a practical standpoint, it doesn’t matter. Identifying a rational basis for a liberal’s position is not a prerequisite to being able to predict it. While seldom rational, at least their positions are consistent with Frost’s observation.

Because I derive no small sense of satisfaction from being right more often than not, I find myself at odds with liberal positions on a regular basis. This blog is dedicated to rational thinkers who are unashamed to take their own side in a fight.

[Update 04/30/2007] I corrected the Robert Frost quote. I had inadvertently used a modernized variant that seems to be popular.