Posted by
voice_of_reason on Thursday, February 14, 2008 8:42:06 AM
During the silly season that accompanies our elections, observers and pundits spend a lot of time looking for differences between the major candidates. I think that it is more instructive to look at the similarities. Take, for example, the word change, which is now a favorite of all candidates, notably among the (D)s, but also among the (R)s. Some are going so far as to call this a change election.
Unfortunately, the word "change" has come to mean absolutely nothing. The changes that are being proposed (by Leftists and so-called conservatives are based on vote-buying, which, in turn, is based on populism.
POPULISM is the core that runs through both our major political parties. It is the common thread that all our politicians share - and is quietly destroying our country.
This may turn out to be the fatal flaw in the sort of 'democratic republic' into which we have evolved. Capitalism does 'lift all boats', but each person rises to the level of their ability. Given the spread in the abilities of different people, there will always be more people (and votes) in the lower 50% of the distribution.
As a direct consequence of the warm, fuzzy egalitarianism of a democracy, there is a slant towards populism. Our predisposition towards religious-inspired-altruism also plays a role in this, ensuring that populism will always win votes from the Right and the Left.
This will sound elitist (guilty, as charged) and self-serving, but unless the Vox Populi is drowned out by the Voice of Reason - we will go the way of the Roman Empire.