Empirical debunking cannot reach the deepest fear of the reactionary mind, which is that the state - that devouring leviathan - will soon swallow up all traces of human volition and dignity. The conclusion is based on conservative moral convictions that reason can't shake. Rick Perlstein baseconclusionconservative share on social
History does not repeat itself. Nor does it unfold in cycles. The real future is contingent, rich beyond imagining, a perennial gobsmack, tragic and glorious in equal measure; the pundits' future, spun of 'conventional wisdom,' is only a sucker punch to that common-sense fact. Rick Perlstein commoncontingentconventional share on social
While Obama might not push college education exclusively, like most Democrats he does oversell it and does shortchange the alternatives. And millions of young Americans pay the price. Rick Perlstein alternativeamericancollege Change image and share on social
Liberals tend to stress how marvelous education is, in and of itself, and also adore it as a vessel for genuine equality. (That's me, by the way: Hell, I think we should be spending $50 billion a year to make college education free). Rick Perlstein adorebillioncollege share on social
Economic issues are a subset of social justice. Social justice is unimaginable without economic justice. Isn't that obvious? Rick Perlstein economicissuejustice Change image and share on social
Computers have cut-and-paste functions. So does right-wing historical memory. Rick Perlstein computercutfunction Change image and share on social
In Ronald Reagan's chaotic childhood, the imagination was armor. There is nothing unusual about that; transcending the doubts, hesitations, and fears swirling around you by casting yourself internally as the hero of your own adventure story is a characteristic psychic defense mechanism of the Boy Who Disappears. Rick Perlstein adventurearmorboy share on social
I think that all politicians who aspire to the presidency are a little nuts, but for different reasons. What kind of person aspires to be the most powerful person in the world? The answer is someone with an internal drive that is so dynamic and so determined. Rick Perlstein answeraspiredetermine share on social
Richard M. Nixon honestly believed in his bones that an organized conspiracy of liberal media insiders had literally been plotting against him ever since he broke Alger Hiss in 1948 (he never shifted course, and lost his soul). Rick Perlstein algerbelievebone share on social
One thing Republicans understand: In American elections, you have to choose from among only two people - not between the perfect and the good. Rick Perlstein americanchooseelection Change image and share on social