Normally, you'd just readjust your understanding of what you're talking about. After all, you're human, this sort of thing happens. It's impossible to go through life without getting something all balled up. You just slap your forehead, laugh, and get on with your life.
Unless, of course, you're a Republican. Especially a Republican in elected office. Then you aren't wrong. Ever. Invading Iraq is still the smartest thing anyone's ever done for the cause of freedom, for example. If someone points out the facts -- no WMD, no ties to al Qaeda, no "imminent threat" to the United States -- you just jam your fingers in your ears and shout, "La! La! La! La! I can't hear you! La! La! La! La!" Because it's absolutely impossible for you to be wrong. If there's a disagreement between reality and an elected Republican, reality automatically loses. Every time.
Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins found herself in this situation recently when, during a town hall meeting, one of her constituents confronted her with the impossible; the American system of healthcare delivery was failing her. It's an article of faith that the US has the "best healthcare in the world" -- mostly because it's America and everything we have is the best in the world -- and saying otherwise is just unpatriotic. The only thing wrong with the US, in Republican eyes anyway, is that taxes are too high for rich people. Otherwise, perfect.Jenkins found herself the target of an unfair and un-American attack by reality, when a member of the audience told her about her situation. "I'm a 27 year-old single mother. I work full-time," constituent Elizabeth Smith told her. "I do not have health insurance. My employer does not provide health insurance to me and I cannot afford it privately. Why shouldn't my government guarantee all of its citizens health care?"... [CLICK TO READ FULL POST]
