Opinions are like noses: everyone has one.

We know what we like in our foods, cars, and the opposite sex. These opinions are derived from years and years of research, presumably because these things are important to us.

Sometimes, though, opinions can be self-destructive. Opinions on food, drink, drugs, and fun, in the short and/or long term, can adversely affect our personal welfare.

During the fall election, I would engage Obama supporters. I would ask them why they were voting for Barack Obama. The universal response was “change.” Certainly a palpable response to the over $300 million spent on advertising by the Obama campaign.

Next I would ask them what he was going to change. Suddenly there was a “deer in the headlights” look. Ninety percent could not name a thing. Zip, zero, nada. Nothing. Ten percent would respond with “healthcare.” I then pressed them for important details, such as what would it be like and how would we pay for it. They then became nonresponsive.

Today I ask the President Obama supporters if he is doing a good job. Everyone says yes. I then ask if he is doing a good job on the economy. Again, they say yes. Then I ask “What is the best thing he has done to help the economy?” Once again I get the “deer in the headlights” look. And nothing to say.

It is the same reaction when I ask which Bush policies caused this recession.

So let’s ask this: is it wise to give opinions on things that we know nothing about?

Let’s say I went to two doctors to get an opinion on a serious medical issue. One doctor listened to the description of my symptoms and shared his treatment ideas. The other listened, ran tests, researched the results, consulted experts, and then gave his opinion. Which opinion would mean more to me? Would the first opinion mean anything?

I could go out on the street today and do an opinion survey on the monetization of our debt. I would get opinions from boatloads of people who knew nothing about the hyperinflation that comes with it.

Even other countries recognize our political ignorance. On April 27, 2009, the Russian newspaper, Pravda, published an article entitled, “American capitalism gone with a whimper.”

It mocked Americans for passively allowing socialism to take over our country. It explained how this could be happening: “Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in D.C. that directly affects their lives. They care more for their ‘right’ to choke down a McDonald’s burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights.”

We can do better. Try looking up the Progressive movement to get a general feel for what is going on. The vast majority of the things the government is enacting are right out of the Progressive playbook. It is being done in a rapid fire, machine gun approach to overwhelm us.

Then get specific. Is this trillion dollar spending sustainable? Is “manmade global warming” legitimate? How much money will the cap-and-trade tax cost me? How many jobs will it destroy? Since Medicaid and Medicare are bankrupt, why support a new government medical plan? How has it worked in other countries? Does the President have the Constitutional right to take over private businesses, firing leaders and setting wages?

Perhaps we can all be of the same opinion on one thing: it is best to base our opinions on facts rather than feelings.

If your support of someone is based on ignorance, you are being used. If it is based on knowledge, it is deserved.

Bill Webster

Peachtree City, Ga.