You may have heard of the recent study done by UC Berkeley on the psycology of conservatism. According to the "study":

...some of the common psychological factors linked to political conservatism include:

*Fear and aggression

*Dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity

*Uncertainty avoidance

*Need for cognitive closure

*Terror management

I suppose its not suprising that UC Berkeley needs to see conservatism as some sort of pathology. There's probably an entire Ann Coulter book in there somewhere.

Fortunately, the enterprising folks at ScrappleFace have broken the story that Medicare will soon cover conservatism:

Medicare to Cover Conservatism Prevention Measures

(2003-07-23) -- Now that a report in Psychological Bulletin has identified the causes of political conservatism, Medicare and most private health plans will soon cover experimental preventative regimens for the syndrome.

According to the study, conservatism is brought on by several psychological factors including fear and aggression, dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity, and uncertainty avoidance. Researchers emphasized that it is not an ideology arrived at by study, rational discourse and life experience.

"Conservatives should not be debated, anymore than you would try to talk someone out of schizophrenia," said the lead researcher who wrote the journal article. "They are to be pitied, medicated and confined to institutions when necessary."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the plight of America's conservatives. He called on his colleagues to be "tolerant, patient, but never patronizing to those sick individuals on the other side of the aisle."

While there is no cure for conservatism, early intervention by public schools and welfare agencies offers the best hope for prevention.