I came across this quote by Francis Fukuyama yesterday. As one who always votes the straight Democratic ticket, knowing that behavior to be somewhat irrational, it left me feeling rather abashed:

Political debate has become a spectator sport in which people root for their team and cheer when it scores points, without asking whether they chose the right side. Instead of trying to defend sharply polarized positions…, it would be far better if people could actually take aboard new information and think about ow their earlier commitments, honestly undertaken, actually jibe with reality–even if this does on occasion require changing your mind.

From “Why Shouldn’t I Change My Mind?” Los Angeles Times, April 9, 2006.