It can't be alone the media that lower the quality of political presentation at the national level. It has to be something more. Something like the frustration of trying to achieve anything that matters? The government, meaning the bureaucracy, runs itself, irrespective of challenges from the outside. Social Security and Medicare are on a collision course with reality. We have over-promised. We can't deliver. The tax system confuses and stultifies.
Beyond that, interest groups stand ready to block any attempt at meaningful change. Beyond that, no two interest groups agree with each other -- the AARP, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Greenpeace, the AFL-CIO, NARAL Pro Choice America. It's a mighty careful candidate who manages to thread his way among these advocates. By the time he does, does he care any more? Does he remember what he wanted in the first place?
We all know it won't stay that way forever. Nothing stays the same in the varied circumstances of human life, so subject both to shock and evolution. Meantime it's reassuring to reflect that even when those assigned, nominally, to maintain the political universe blow it again, life goes on in those places where live the real mainsprings of human existence -- mothers, fathers, children, plumbers, cooks, music teachers, golf partners -- doing the humdrum things that require no votes, no legislation, no lobbying.
It's amazing how much simple good you can do outside the purview of presidential candidates and campaign strategists. Maybe we should try it more often!