"I hate the government even though I suck on the government teat."

[JDPriestly]

21. The ability to think logically especially about politics requires self-control.

You have to be able to detach your emotions for a short time and try to think not only what makes you feel good but also what makes you feel awful.

You have to at least try to find a place of objectivity where you aren't thinking about your own interests and just feeling good.

Self-control, the prerequisite I think, for logical thinking is learned -- but in early childhood.

I once knew a guy who thought logically virtually every moment that I talked with him. He was a brilliant historian of science. It was extremely interesting to hear him talk about his favorite subject. He dated beautiful women, but I noticed that his relationships did not seem to end well. Maybe he was too logical. Maybe he did not have enough ability to appreciate the emotions of others and himself.

There is a middle ground. And that is where we need to be to think logically about politics, to think without too much self-interest about human values and how we agree to bring those values into our society and lives.

So thinking logically about politics takes a balance. Balancing our self-interest as much as possible while holding to emotional values about how society needs to work.

Maybe that kind of logic can be learned, but for many Republicans it is too late.