State of the Union

[malthaussen]

22. An idealistic point, not to be taken seriously:

I wonder if, in the search for "the better candidate," we have lost sight of searching for "the better person." This is where pragmatism meets, and typically annihilates, ideals. The GOP have taken it to absurd lengths (I'm looking at you, Roy Moore), but the Democrats are not innocent of it, either. Wanting the candidate who can "win," regardless of his ethics or his positions, leads more in the direction of politics devolving into salesmanship, rather than statesmanship. The best way to sell is to tell the people what they want to hear; but statesmanship may sometimes require telling them what they need to hear. What serious politician today would echo Mr Roosevelt in hoping people hate him?

As I say, this is an idealistic point, not to be taken seriously. In the present circumstances, dreams must give way to reality, and "whatever it takes" to throw the bums out is what should be pursued. But, friend, we have been waiting all our lives for the dreams of our youth to be realized, and damage control does get tiresome after awhile.

-- Mal