It is a common complaint, almost a cliche, that politics has become increasingly partisan and bitter over the last few years. Everybody bemoans this, but nobody does anything about it. The aftermath of the Tucson shooting -- more than the shooting itself -- seems to suggest a frightening political volcano lying dormant just below the surface.
For a sense of perspective let's look at a quote from Boswell's Life of Johnson, circa 1770. Johnson says:
I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual. Sir, the danger of the abuse of power is nothing to a private man. What Frenchman is prevented from passing his life as he pleases?
It was easy for Johnson to make that argument. No matter how tyrannical a government was in his day, it could have only the smallest impact on everyday life compared to what it can do today, whether it be tyrannical or benevolent. The machinery simply didn't exist.
Every year there is less and less of the economy, civilization, or Life in general that hasn't been gobbled up by politics. Is it any wonder that politics has become full of vitriol, the buzzword du jour? And who is responsible for politics consuming most of Life: the very people who are sermonizing against hate and vitriol today.
Comments