We now have video of Bush I pitching his educational policy to school kids in a broadcast speech, and a transcript of Saint Reagan The Infallible telling kids criminals from San Quentin would come and murder them if California passed a gun ban. So obviously, in that context, President Obama going on the air to tell children to stay in school, do their homework, listen to their teachers and try hard will be the downfall of western civilization and indoctrinate our kids in the godless ways of Islamic communism. You know, because Hitler did the exact same thing.
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What's happened to this country?
ReplyDeleteIn a word, Newt Gingrich. The current polarization can be traced directly back to Newt Gingrich and the political housecleaning of '94. Until then, most congressmen moved with their families to Washington when elected. They were next door neighbors, went to church together, PTA, had backyard barbecues, the whole nine yards. They were friends and colleagues, regardless of party affiliation.
ReplyDeleteGingrich mandated all incoming Republican congressmen maintain their in-state residence, ostensibly to keep in contact with those they represent, because railing against "Inside the beltway Washington" was part of what propelled them to victory. The upshot, though, was that cross-party friendships and relationships didn't develop, and it became exceedingly easy to demonize the person and policies on the other side of the aisle. Both parties, I'm sad to see, are continuing this legacy today despite Obama's calls for a civil tone.