Senator Elizabeth Warren is leading a charge against against the thinkers on the left, apparently. As Politico reports:
Litan resigned. Now, scholars are concerned about the effect such “McCarthyism” could have on research.
George Will has previously addressed the kind of pounding on the table Warren has been engaging in:
This is a problem that’s taking over the left. In place of new policy, the left uses empty rhetoric and feel-good populism, defending it by accusing opponents of being one of many ‘ists or engaging in one of many ‘isms.
Free college sounds great! Except it costs hundreds of billions of dollars, and taxpayers pay for it. So it really isn’t free.
If you oppose funding Planned Parenthood, it’s because you’re sexist and Christian—never mind the abortions and the most recent graphic videos that raise ethical concerns.
No good can be had by decreasing the number of thinking people who come up with policy ideas to solve problems. New, opposing ideas create an opportunity to refine and strengthen policy ideas, in the same way that devil’s advocates strengthen one’s arguments while yes men don’t.
That’s a lesson Warren could stand to learn.
