People believe whatever makes them feel good... regardless of the facts.
Take this poll from today for example, where 15% of Ohio Republicans believe MITT ROMNEY is responsible for Osama Bin Laden's death...
http://www.examiner.com/article/poll...sama-bin-laden
Facts are irrelevant when they do not conform to your beliefs, and yes, of course it works both ways... but reality does exist, even if it is currently hidden behind a cloud of confusion.