The triumph of the celebrity president
The publication of Bill Clinton's book demonstrates the triumph of the celebrity president.

I actually voted for him, once, and think that in comparison to the current prez, he is smarter and communicates more effectively. However, $10 million paid to him and advance orders of 2.3 million books? That's just too much interest in too little story. We're buying the voyeur's package ...

It doesn't serve us well to treat our leaders like we treat our movie stars. (which is a whole separate discussion, in any case).
- posted by Chris @ 1:26 PM

 
"Fascism Anyone?"
Making the trains run on time isn't a good measure of the success of a government, I remember learning in my college sophomore year government class.

Is this where democracy goes when it gets afraid of consequences? Socialism is too hard to sell ... people get, at a fundamental, inescapable level, that work=success. Selling fascism is easier ... you just have to make people feel afraid first, then they'll line up to buy your snake oil.

I don't like anyone pushing us in the f-direction. But it's the group in the big chairs now that are the problem. Please please tell me that the November election will matter, and that replacing the chairs' occupants will make a difference?
- posted by Chris @ 4:45 PM