Rent control and protectionism are different, and immigration for instance, a hot subject in today's politics, is another thing altogether.

Supporting rent control doesn't make you stupid/uninformed, but the only other option is evil.

Protectionism is a complex topic in a world with currency manipulation, labor laws variability and geopolitical conflicts; it's only simple (and evil/stupid) in a world without these things.

And immigration is not just about economics, it's about who you want to live next door and vote. Here, people can disagree regardless of economic views.