Reply #18: The political system is toxic.

[meldroc]

Twenty years ago, it wasn't nearly this bad. Sure Republicans and Democrats were still political enemies, spewing bile at each other, but there were limits. There were gentlemen's agreements, and civility. When the vote was finished, Democrats and Republicans would cross the aisle, chat with each other, and have lunch together. That doesn't happen anymore. When the Republican Revolution happened in 94, the Republicans wanted all the power, and made it clear they'd do anything to get it. The old gentleman's agreements were over. No more friendly talk across the aisles. The Democrats were locked out of the political process, and the GOP brought the level of aggression from mere rhetoric over differing positions to personal attacks. Swiftboatings, blacklistings, etc. were now standard operating procedure.

Now that the Democrats have control of Congress, they're trying to bring back some of the gentlemen's agreements and lower the toxicity level. But the Bush administration isn't going along. Their attacks and ploys are even more vicious now. It will take the departure or removal of the Bush administration, and quite a bit of time to return civility to DC.