We Americans are too idealistic; and our idealism is dominated by ignorance.  In so many critical areas, we brashly make judgement calls that are founded on nothing more than conceptual perfection and misinformation.  Here are some examples of our lousy arguments.  Call me out if I'm falling into the same trap.

War on Drugs

Most people agree that, aside from the treatment of illness, drug use is BAD; hence we support government effort to eliminate its use. But, the "War on Drugs" has NOT worked, and is NOT working!  We blindly continue support of a broken system that has caused more harm than good.  Disagree?  Consider why prohibition failed.  Here are some points:

• Government cannot destroy a market.  When a market is made illegal, it becomes a "black market."
• Black markets are accompanied by violence.
• The War on Drugs has become an excuse for legalized pilfering by law enforcement.  (Thanks Ron, for the link.)

Home Birth

Hospitals are equipped for and doctors are trained to deal with any emergency situation.  Since complications can arise in child birth, babies should all be born in hospitals -- or so many of us think, or have thought.  But we ignore the fact, that things don't work out this way in real life.  Hospitals have a higher perinatal mortality rates than home births with trained midwife.  And this is only one of many factors to consider.

Hospitals and doctors are important -- they help us when things go wrong.  But child birth is not an illness, and hence shouldn't be treated as such.

Okay... I was going to keep going, but my wife wants me to get my work in today -- perhaps I'll append this list later, or, maybe you, gentle reader, can add to this list!