Dumbline Democracy

Dumbline Democracy

Something has changed in the last 30 years, so let’s praise outgoing New York Congressman Gary Ackerman, Democrat, for recognizing that change. We’re used to saying that politicians are out of touch. It’s refreshing to see one still cognizant of everyday reality.

But that’s as far as we can go. For Rep. Ackerman, in his exit interview with Josh Tyrangiel of Bloomberg Businesweek, didn’t just recognize the obvious. He espoused a theory about that change . . . and a more complacent, self-serving, self-justifying theory could hardly be imagined.

What’s changed is today’s political polarization, which has led to a...