Something to Think About, Part IV

Some people complain that "the quality of candidates for almost any office - but especially the Presidency - is low and unsatisfactory. I have done so. But upon reflection, the quality of the candidates is low because the quality of people is low. It was ever thus but in the old days we didn't have as much information.

Some observers - both Democrat and Republican - proclaim that "Bush has been a disaster for the Republican Party." I agree.

Some observers - both Democrat and Republican - proclaim that "Howard Dean has been a disaster for the Democratic Party." I agree.

And we forget that many observers - both Democrat and Republican - proclaimed not that long ago that "Bill Clinton was a disaster for the Democratic Party" (because the Dems lost control of the House and the Senate on his watch, Monicagate, Pardongate, etc.).

Hmmmmm.

If we take a small step back (and set aside Dean, who is a moron), it appears that a great many experts believe that the last two presidents - both of whom were elected twice - have been "disasters" for their respective parties.

From a historic perspective, Clinton is remembered as an OK, not terrible and often effective President. And Bush will be remembered better (perhaps better than he deserves), certainly far better than the present. I don't think he is like Truman, but in terms of popularity while in office the two are eerily similar.

So just what is happening here?

I submit that there is truth in what some surely retired politician once said: "The American people are no prize, either."

The problem in these "disasters," which seem to cause otherwise moderate voters to turn
on their own President and party, is largely one of perception, as seen by a population with an appallingly low sense of history and civics, a childish sense of entitlement to being shielded from any and all "bad things," by a government that has always been ineffectual in the short term and dangerous in the long term when it comes to solving problems, and a ridiculously inflated opinion of themselves, certainly when judging Presidents and politicians.

Not to mention the media and educational establishments that have been willing contributors to and conspirators in many way responsible for the above.

That said, none of the above issues alone, nor the problematic caliber of current candidates, are singly responsible for the, quote "disasters", of which so many "experts" like to speak.

It is as it usually is - a mixed bag, with far more gray than black and white.

But let us never forget that a large measure of the element of fault, dear Brutus, lies in ourselves.