[+/-] Democracies have a hard time dealing with their extremists

Yet another insightful column by Professor Krugman:

Democratic societies have a hard time dealing with extremists in their midst. The desire to show respect for other people's beliefs all too easily turns into denial: nobody wants to talk about the threat posed by those whose beliefs include contempt for democracy itself....

And the future seems all too likely to bring more intimidation in the name of God and more political intervention that undermines the rule of law....

America isn't yet a place where liberal politicians, and even conservatives who aren't sufficiently hard-line, fear assassination. But unless moderates take a stand against the growing power of domestic extremists, it can happen here.