When Does Politics Become Too Political?

I wonder if the American political system was always... well, for lack of a better word... so political. Sure Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled to the death, but that was as much about political differences as it was about women, power (which today is politics), and money. While we laugh at the powdered hair of the Founding Fathers, they would likely be hysterics over today's politicians with their caked on make-up, frequent photo-ops, and their very public preening in TV spots and at fundraising events. Politics 200 years ago had to have been about more than hiring the best speech writers and spin.

The nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court captures the extremes of today's political system. Everyone involved from George W to Senators like Ted Kennedy and Lindsay Grahm are guilty of grandstanding and pandering to their base. Joe Biden was the classic example with his ten minute long questions. In the 1800s, the Supreme Court was setting precedent that changed the history of our country with cases like Dred Scott and Plessy vs. Ferguson. Perhaps it is the romance of a bygone era, but I imagine their hearings would make ours look like the WWF Smackdown. And despite the interrogation from both sides the hearings have done nothing to further our (the public's) understanding of the issues of the nominee's stance. If you disagree, think back to David Souter. The conservatives worst nightmare.

While I believe the Republicans can be blamed for the majority of today's enmity. Historically, the Democrats have been just as guilty. Politicians cannot seem to help themselves from aggregating power. For every Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed there has been a Presidency like Grant's rife with scandal (sound familiar?). With all the problems we face, and terrorism is only one of them, playing politics does not help anyone. As the world's greatest nation and only super power, we, as Americans, are at our weakest point. There is no place else to go but down, and without a strong unified government that is exactly where we will end up.

Just to set the record straight, I do not think Grant was bad pre say. But rather, that as a General, he was less prepared for the Office of the President and as such was easy to manipulate. His Cabinet had no qualms about taking advantage of his weaknesses. I withhold judgment on GWB at this time.