Kerby Anderson

Earlier this month, Victor Davis Hanson wrote about “The Decline and Fall of Our So-called Degreed Experts.” I believe we should trust people who are experts in science and engineering, because their success or failure is easier to measure. But the political pundits and so-called experts in public policy are often wrong. He provides five examples.

First, we were told that tariffs would destroy the economy and lead to a “downward, if not recessionary, spiral.” He pointed to data that showed increases in tariff revenue. “Personal real income and savings were up. Job creation exceeded prognoses. There was no surge in inflation.”

Second, economists and bureaucrats were wrong about the border. We were told that the only way to stop illegal immigration was to pass “comprehensive immigration reform.” When the president promised to stop thousands of migrants crossing the border, experts scoffed.

Third, many of our national security experts warned that taking out Iran’s nuclear sites was a fool’s errand. “It would supposedly unleash a Middle East tsunami of instability. It would cause a wave of terrorism. It would send oil prices skyrocketing.” Instead, the action led to a ceasefire rather than a conflagration, and oil prices decreased.

Fourth, President Trump, according to diplomatic experts, what going to “blow up” or “destroy” or “cripple” NATO. So far, more nations are meeting their defense spending promises.

Fifth, many of the pollsters were wrong about the last three presidential elections and have missed some significant shifts in the electorate. They didn’t understand how ideas like defunding the police or allowing transgender males to compete in women’s sports would affect the election.

The lesson here is to listen to the experts but also have some skepticism. Just because they have advanced degrees doesn’t mean they are always right.