[brityank]

Sad thing is, what I see happening in the Republican party today is what I saw with the Democrats in the late '60's. I really liked D. P. Moynihan until the Johnson crew choked him off and bought his soul. All of Dan's predictions on the damage that the 'Great Society' would spawn have come true, and we are the worse for it.

And the complaint is always: "Why don't better people enter politics?" How many would willingly put up with the vehement slander and derision that have become part and parcel of the political venue? No one I know.

[joanie-f]

And the complaint is always: "Why don't better people enter politics?" How many would willingly put up with the vehement slander and derision that have become part and parcel of the political venue? No one I know.

I agree. Over the years, a very good friend of mine has repeatedly been approached (by many influential people) to run for the state house. She always gives it careful consideration, but, despite the fact that she is a patriot, always comes up with the same answer: It’s not worth it. There is too much dishonesty, unprincipled compromise, and mud-slinging. Those things would interrupt her sleep. And the amount of good she could do would be far outweighed by the garbage – and the corruption of otherwise good people – that she would have to deal with.

Toomey is one of the exceptions to the rule (as was Reagan). A good, decent, principled man (are you aware that his opponent used the fact against him that he was often the lone dissenting vote on many congressional votes? To me, that is a sign of courage and conviction!). Considering his goodness and courage, it’s amazing that he has gotten as far as he has in our corrupt political/electoral system. And we haven’t heard the last of him. Those who are urging him to run for governor don’t comprehend that he has more important things to do. The governorship would be beneath his abilities.

Thanks for the insightful comments!

~ joanie