The staunchest conservatives advocate a range of changes which differ in specifics, rather than in number or magnitude, from the changes advocated by those considered liberal…change, as such, is simply not a controversial issue. Yet a common practice among the anointed is to declare themselves emphatically, piously, and defiantly in favor of 'change.' Thus those who oppose their particular changes are depicted as being against change in general. It is as if opponents of the equation 2+2=7 were depicted as being against mathematics. Such a tactic might, however, be more politically effective than trying to defend the equation on its own merits. . Thomas Sowell
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Opponents of the established order are often called 'conservatives.' This is misleading. The rise of conservatism may be traced to the emergence of the modern state. The term 'liberal' is similarly misleading. A liberal, in this sense, is simply one who favors progress in general.

Source: The Vision Of The Anointed: Selfcongratulation As A Basis For Social Policy

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More Quotes By Thomas Sowell
  1. It doesn't matter how smart you are unless you stop and think.
  2. People who pride themselves on their "complexity" and deride others for being "simplistic" should realize that the truth is often not very complicated. What gets complex is evading the truth.
  3. There are only two ways of telling the complete truth--anonymously and posthumously.
  4. What is ominous is the ease with which some people go from saying that they don't like something to saying that the government should forbid it. When you go down that road, don't expect freedom to survive very long.
  5. Nothing is easier than to get peaceful people to renounce violence, even when they provide no concrete ways to prevent violence from others.
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