"I suspect that our elite liberal institutions on balance give us the worst of both worlds: intellectually stultifying, yet lacking the courage of their convictions." Can I indulge my confirmation bias for a sec to assert I see this EVERWHERE in NY state? My family moved to NY 7 years ago from TN to much better living conditions. Better jobs, better schools, closer family, etc. I can't count the number of times since 2016 we have said, "Thank God we no longer live in TN!" And yet. Over and over, institution after institution, there is this dysfunctional, complacent commitment to old practices that make no sense and serve no purpose. The progressives are complacent and assuming. Everything from the state government to churches does it "the way we always have" in the face of people leaving in droves. We can't find doctors. We pay too much for everything because of obvious inefficiencies. I still prefer this state to most others. But wow, I wish liberals would get their act together. They aren't doing government well, and that's what we need.