"People who urge us to rely on the United Nations, instead of acting 'unilaterally,' or who urge us to follow other countries in creating a government-run medical care system, often show not the slightest interest in getting facts about the actual track record of either the UN or government-run medical systems. Those who believe in affirmative action likewise usually see no reason to find out what actually happens under such policies, as distinguished from what they wish, hope, or imagine happens. They crusade for 'a living wage' that will enable a worker to support a family proceeds without the slightest interest in finding out whether most people who are making low wages actually have any family to support—much less seeking out the facts about what actually happens after the government sets wages. People who have made up their minds and don't want to be confused by the facts are a danger to the whole society. Since the votes of such people count just as much as the votes of people who know what they are talking about, politicians have every incentive to pass laws and create policies that pander to ignorant notions, if those notions are widespread."

—Thomas Sowell