Flexner quote ...

We must not overlook the role that extremists play. They are the gadflies that keep society from becoming too complacent. - Abraham Flexner


This i like about our American 2 party system. It keeps the extremists at the extremes. They perform their function and perform it well. They get airtime at the early Presidential primary debates. Sometimes they say things that catch hold ... and then they have done their job, and a more moderate candidate runs forward with that banner.

Kucinich handed the baton to Dean who handed it into the mainstream of the Democratic party.
Pat Robertson in 1988.
There is even a role for the David Dukes and Pat Robertsons of the world in the early stages.

There can be no fair and just political system that allows the Kuciniches to flourish but not the Robertsons and Dukes ... not if one really believes in the free flow of ideas.
... but that is another post.