“I am convinced that those societies (as the Indians) which live without government enjoy in their general mass an infinitely greater degree of happiness than those who live under the European governments. Among the former, public opinion is in the place of law, & restrains morals as powerfully as laws ever did anywhere. Among the latter, under pretence of governing they have divided their nations into two classes, wolves & sheep. I do not exaggerate.
This is a true picture of Europe. Cherish therefore the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you & I, & Congress & Assemblies, judges & governors shall all become wolves. “
Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington January 16, 1787.
In Jefferson’s words we find both a prediction and an admonition applicable today more than ever, what with politicians acting as canines, driving us here and there but mostly keeping us in our pens and stockades. Now, sheep dogs are directly descended from wolves and sheep dogs are raised from birth to do what they do. It is becoming more and more apparent that so too are politicians. They are schooled early on in the fawning on and grooming of the voter. They are introduced to the “players” and allowed to watch the backroom, golf course, charity event meetings that result in the backscratching deals for which the political world has become famous. They are a class unto themselves and woe be unto those who attempt to displace them for they are like Viking Thanes acting as ring givers to the operatives who work on their behalf, many of whom are hoping to become politicians in their own right and follow in the footsteps of their role models.
Hmmm….where have I seen this before you ask yourself. It’s very familiar, I should remember. Ahhh… of course, I see it in the movies. People rushing about trying to rise up in the organization, cut a throat here, stab a back there, backroom deals. Become a ” Made Man.” It’s the Mafia, and that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how our political class conducts themselves. They are not interested in what is best for the people of the United States but only in the ‘business’ of government from which they profit both personally and professionally.
Would that I could say in my attempts to enlighten you that I am preaching to the choir but, Alas, many of our citizens believe these people actually represent them and not just themselves. Would that it were so for that is what they are supposed to do, but I will point out just the latest example of politics over what is best for the people. In the past week, the Speaker of the House and a senior senator of the Democratic Party both admitted that they had held up a COVID relief bill so that it would not happen during the Trump administration. Now whether you like Trump or not and whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, this is one of the meanest things a supposed representative of the people can do; Make the people they claim to represent suffer in order to deliver a political blow to an opponent. Is it reprehensible? Absolutely! Is it despicable? Yes indeed! Businesses failed, families suffered, all because the Speaker of the House and Democrats in the Senate thought it would help them win an election.
Now most of you know I was raised a Democrat and was one most of my adult life. Not a Dixiecrat but a genuine Roosevelt Democrat, but when Democratic politicians knowingly cause harm to citizens in order to score political points it is time for a change. It is bad enough that this was done, but now the Speaker and the Senator boast about their actions on national television as if they have achieved some great coup d’main. Do they really think their actions will go unnoticed by those they have harmed whether they are Republicans, Democrats or Independents? Or, are they just so taken with themselves and juiced up on the drug of power that it doesn’t matter to them?
Will it go unnoticed? Will you allow politicians to achieve personal aggrandizement over the bodies of those trying to stay in business and provide for their families? Will you allow them to crow about manipulating the system without regard for the good of the public? Have we truly become a nation of sheep? Remember, a nation of sheep will have a government of wolves.
Very god explanation of he current democratic party.