Young, smart left-of-center types flock to government, academia, and journalism because they sincerely believe that these professions are the best way to contribute to society. Moreover, these professions garner the greatest respect from their left-of-center peers. These individuals have what Thomas Sowell describes as an unconstrained vision of what society could become given the correct leadership and direction. And they want to be a part of it.
Young, smart right-of-center types are more likely to join the business world, particularly small business, and later entrepreneurial endeavors. Do they sincerely believe that this is the best way to contribute to society? Do they think about this question at all? It does not matter, because whatever their reasons, they join the vast productive engine of our society. That part of society that pays for everything.
And there they often disappear from public political discussion. Sure, they might join the chamber of commerce. But for the most part, they do not take an active role in politics. Unlike journalists and academics they do not make a lot of noise. They just quietly go about their business of creating wealth for our society.
Of course there are exceptions to this rule. Big business attracts left-of-center types seeking secure employment, stability, and corporate welfare. And, there are indeed talented journalists, academics, and public servants from the Right. But these career choices go against the grain, and thus, draw smaller numbers.
This is why political commentary, as delivered by journalists and academics is most often disingenuous. The Left fields its large A team, and the Right fields, well, something substantively less, both qualitatively and quantitatively. For every Charles Krauthammer, there are ten Paul Krugmans. And Doctor Krauthammer did not set out to become a pundit, but rather fell into the field some time after leaving Harvard Medical School. As a practical matter, it’s any number of smart left-of-center pundits from Krugman to Michael Kinsley versus the bombastic Rush Limbaugh. No contest.
This situation contributes, in no small part, to the leftward drift of our society. In the public discourse, there is simply no relative counterweight to the left-of-center point of view.
They win by default.