OK, So I'm an Elitist

When asked by George Stephanopoulos to name one economist that supports her call for a gas tax holiday -- an idea she borrowed from John McCain and an idea that has not chance of being enacted (because no one, including her supporters in Congress are submitting a bill) -- she declared that she didn't need to listen to economists. Economists are in her mind, elitists, and as you know we shouldn't pay much attention to elitists. Instead, she's listening to her gut. Barack Obama, the elitist candidate (according to Hillary) apparently does listen, but that's not a good idea.

Remember that George Bush didn't listen to his Army chief of staff (an expert) who said if we invade Iraq we'd need about 250,000 troops. George went with his gut (and Don Rumsfeld's ideas) and we ended up overthrowing Saddam but not having enough troops to solidify the occupation (yes we're occupying Iraq -- just not very well).

If Hillary's message is this -- that she'll listen to her gut (and to polls) rather than listen to the "experts" we could be in for real trouble. Obama may not have her "experience" but he seems more willing to listen to advice.

This anti-elitism that is present in our country is a dangerous trend. It is an example of the kind of anti-intellectualism that drives conspiracy theories of both the right and the left, and things like creationism and the attempt to disavow evolution as some kind of "elitist" ideology.

Tomorrow, Indiana and North Carolina have an opportunity to say no to anti-intellectual pandering.