The nice thing about extremists is that they're sufficiently non-invested in making the status quo look good that they're happy to point out when it's shit.
Frankly I really like the extremists on both sides of the isle. While I might vehemently disagree with them on specifics they are at least generally principled people who derive their policy positions from their beliefs logically and I have respect for that.
But they'll also happily claim that the status quo is terrible even when it is in fact objectively quite good.
Re your second paragraph: Things that logically derive from insane starting points can still be insane. Often are, in fact. When they are right, they are right only by random accident. I'm not saying "don't read them", but don't use what they say to adjust your priors very much.
> While I might vehemently disagree with them on specifics they are at least generally principled people
Being so staunchly principled that you cannot compromise or be practical or be open to have your mind changed is not a virtue, in my mind. If anything it is arrogant.
> who derive their policy positions from their beliefs logically and I have respect for that.
Outcomes are more important. If your beliefs are abhorrent then your policies will follow. That is not something to admire.
Yes but being principled to the point that you do obviously stupid things isn’t good, and it’s even worse when idealogical zealots seize hold of power. We want people to poke holes in things which is what I think you were getting at, but they should be nowhere near anything serious.
Interestingly the GOP is the "extreme right" in the US, where the Democratic party is primarily centrist/center right folks. Makes for really weird inter-party interactions within the Democrats.
