Dangerous Assumption

The fundamental assumption that both sides share is that those who have a vision of an ideal society have the right and duty to take the reins of power and history and make that vision reality through the use of political power.

An anonymous blog comment highlighting the problem with political power.

Politics Cannot Be Fixed

We face a dilemma in that most Americans are committed to democratic governance and many Americans want elected officials to assume responsibility for matters that they cannot manage.

American politics is not broken: it is working in the dysfunctional way that it should be working, given its unwieldy size and scope. What may be breaking are naïve idealistic beliefs that politicians can use a large and intrusive government to serve "the people." And the demise of such beliefs would be a good thing.

The idea of public-spirited politicians acting through large and unlimited government is utopian.

The basic lesson here is that politics cannot be fixed.

D W MacKenzie on Politics Cannot Be Fixed.