This night, too, will pass

DEMOCRATS only heart the welfare state. Republicans only heart big business. Obama is a Kenyan, or something. All are dumb myths. But all are endlessly mouthed by an electorate uninterested in learning facts or staying informed. Our body politic and societal impulses are stuck at a minute past midnight, or so it seems. Alexis de Tocqueville once said, "In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own." This rang true then, and rings true now. At the time, Tocqueville's thinking was influenced by the increased use of political patronage during the then vibrant Jacksonian era. He thought our obsession with moneymaking inflicted "middling" values on average Americans. This, in turn, stymied the formation of an informed citizenry as envisioned by the Founders. As a result, 19th century Americans were especially susceptible to political manipulation by power-brokers. Today's Republican and Democratic parties -- magnified by splinter groups (Tea Party), lobbies, the media and the Internet (e.g., blogs) -- continue this grand tradition of messaging. As for our middling values, well, it's hard to avoid saying that today's "me" culture has done little to reverse Tocqueville's unflattering conclusions. But all is not lost. Tocqueville also said, "The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults." I'm inclined to think he's right. Yes, our societal clock has slowed at a minute past midnight. But this night, too, shall pass.