Progressivism is the belief that we have too much freedom with which to make too many stupid choices.

We make too much of that long groan which underlines the past.

Too much fame, money or alcohol can make you stupid.

Too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay.

You will notice that the Occupy Wall Street crowds - and the progressives who support them - focus on bringing the wealthy down to earth rather than lifting the 99 percent. They have a nearly religious belief that too much wealth is fundamentally immoral and unhealthy for society.

The totally convinced and the totally stupid have too much in common for the resemblance to be accidental.