These days, however, the main problem comes from the right - from conservatives who, unlike most economists, really do think that the free market is always right - to such an extent that they refuse to believe even the most overwhelming scientific evidence if it seems to suggest a justification for government action.
Paul KrugmanThe fact is that the two years or so after 9/11 were a terrible time in America โ a time of political exploitation and intimidation, culminating in the deliberate misleading of the nation into the invasion of Iraq. Itโs probably worth pointing out that Iโm not saying anything now that I wasnโt saying in real time back then, when Bush had a sky-high approval rating and any criticism was denounced as treason. And thereโs nothing Iโve done in my life of which Iโm more proud.
Paul KrugmanThe United States in particular and the West in general should be feeling a little embarrassed about all that lecturing we did to the Third World.
Paul Krugman