According to this editorial, “A?study published in The Economic Journal during the summer of 2008 found that voters preferred extreme political positions to moderate ones. It demonstrates a level of commitment and conviction.”

We get bent out of shape about extremist religions, but we like extremist politics? They’re both dangerous.

It does seem that politics have become more polarized. Of course, it also seems that having an extreme position shows a level commitment to craziness.

Of course, I’m a raging liberal, so I’m probably extremist myself. Extremely anti-right, anti-Fox, anti-Bill O’Reilly, anti-Limbaugh.

To the health care / budget / deficit extremists: I’m all for fiscal responsibility, but I don’t think the Republicans or the Democrats actually know what that means. And I’m not sure the tea party fanatics do, either.