Ahg, leave it to Ramesh to show me up with a dose of historical perspective and magnanimity.

Yes, using the term “big lie” to describe what preschool proponents are up to is a bit overheated. And I am sure that many proponents are ignorant believers in the infinite plasticity of the human mind and the ability of the government to improve it.

I think those deep in the game, however, must know that they are twisting the truth beyond recognition, relying on dubious extrapolations based on programs that are nothing like those they propose to enact. They are selling the public on a hugely expensive government expansion into early childrearing with descriptions of the evidence that I think cross the line into lies, big or small. And I think the potential danger in what they intend makes those lies pretty important ones.

Besides, will you begrudge me a catchy headline?

— Adam Schaeffer is a policy analyst for the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute.