Joe Klein has a new book titled Politics Lost: How American Democracy Was Trivialized By People Who Think You’re Stupid.

This reminds me of academic higher-ups scurrying to cover up critiques of higher education by blaming its largely self-induced problems on Americans’ alleged lack of intellect. Roger Bowen, general secretary of the American Association of University Professors, has repeatedly used this tactic. As reported by Inside Higher Ed, for instance, he said: “Look at the historical anti-intellectualism in America and the mistrust of the academy, and we are an easy target…As a way of deflecting from real problems, cultural warriors look to the universities, which are staffed by free-thinking people….”

Ha! Someone should write a book named Higher Education Lost: How The Life Of The Mind Was Trivialized By Demagogues Who Think You’re Stupid.