This is a very interesting article from the New Yorker a few weeks ago about the United States Senate.
It's really long, but very enlightening.
I think the most salient passage is this:
Encumbered with aides, prodded by hourly jolts from electronic media, racing from the hearing room to the caucus lunch to the Power Hour to the airport, senators no longer have the time, or perhaps the inclination, to get to know one another—least of all, members of the other party. Friendships across party lines are more likely among the few spouses who live in Washington. After Udall joined the Senate, last year, he was invited to dinner by Alexander, because Jill Cooper Udall and Honey Alexander had become friends through a women’s social club. It remains the only time Udall has set foot in the house of a Republican senator. (Vice-President Joe Biden, in his autobiography, recalls that, in the seventies, a bipartisan group of senators and their wives hosted a monthly dinner: “In those days Democrats and Republicans actually enjoyed each other’s company.”) When I asked Chris Dodd how well he knew, for example, Jim DeMint, Dodd said, “Not at all. Whereas Jesse Helms and I knew each other pretty well.” He repeated something that Jon Kyl, the Republican whip, from Arizona, had recently said to him: “There’s no trust.” Dodd, whose father was a senator, went on, “That’s really all there is—this place really operates on that. I don’t think anyone would argue with that conclusion. And if that’s missing . . . ”
I don't know that much about the Senate, but it sure seems like this sums up modern politics: Never agree with the other guy, never admit you are wrong and never, ever try to reach a middle ground with anyone. About anything. Did I mention never?
And, by extension, don't build alliances with anyone except people who think exactly like you do.
Try applying this philosophy to your everyday life for a month and see how well it works.
Probably about as well as it seems to be working in the Senate.
1 comment:
I have been reading the blog.
Going back a few days, I think any major league baseball team can turn around their fortunes.
The Indians have failed at simple math. Pay the players and fill the seats. Do not pay them and they lose and the seats are empty.
It is true a younger team can play well, but major league sports favors the veteran players in many ways, and vetern teams.
Sabbathia should have finished in Cleveland like Nagy, Omar and Thome should have finished in Cleveland, too. These guys and a rental starter like Millwood or retaining Westbrook and the Indians are pushing for the playoffs.
A couple of solid experienced starters next year will make the Indians a winner, if they spend the free agent money.
The Browns were impressive in losing today.
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