The end of (US) democracy

[Gob]

A rather scathing article....

Washington: When I need to escape, I head to the verdant valleys and slave-built stonewalls of Virginia's Rappahannock County, light years from the failed-state cacophony of Washington 130 kilometres to the east.

But it doesn't always work. Last northern autumn my mate Bill came through, and during dinner on the terrace at Tula's, one of the local hangouts, I carelessly uttered a term to describe the US that I usually reserve for conversation with foreigners – "a nation of idiots".

At first, Bill let it pass. But then he circled back. "You don't understand," he told me indignantly. "This country is built on a great history."

And late in the northern summer just ended, as my neighbour Ira and I paid homage to a bottle of red at a winery just over the hill, another harsh judgment escaped my lips: "America is a caricature of democracy."

Ira too was taken aback.

"You need a framework to view the dysfunction in Congress," he began. As the level in the bottle dropped, he patiently took me through yesterday's heroes and today's rogues; how co-operation became obstruction; Newt Gingrich going off the reservation; the distorting impact of 24/7 cable news.

Please – another bottle!

This crazy campaign to elect a 45th president, a choice between the two least trusted candidates ever to seek the White House, a circus focusing more on penises than policies, is just the latest in a long line of sick jokes at the expense of a nation of 320 million by a self-serving political class that has pretty well broken every democratic bone in the body politic.

Continues here...

[Long Run]

So, red wine is the answer?

[Gob]

Always.

[kmccune]

so simple ,the answer.

[Burning Petard]

Red Wine? Much better would be a little Balcones Single Malt from Waco Texas.

snailgate

[oldr_n_wsr]

There is no situation that alchohol can't make worse.

[liberty]

I will be back .

[BoSoxGal]

There is no situation that alchohol can't make worse.

Only if you're an alcoholic or angry/violent drunk, in all fairness.

A glass or two of spirits can enhance time with friends/family/lovers, or for that matter quiet time sitting in front of the fire - if those spirits only mellow the person imbibing, and there are many of us who experience alcohol that way.

[oldr_n_wsr]

who are these people you speak of who only have glass or two?
They probably also commit the largest of sins and leave a half a glass unfinished.

[RayThom]

who are these people you speak of who only have glass or two?... They probably also commit the largest of sins and leave a half a glass unfinished.

Funny, that sounds similar to the "... officer, I have only had two beers... " defense. Yeah, right.

Who are these people?

[BoSoxGal]

who are these people you speak of who only have glass or two?
They probably also commit the largest of sins and leave a half a glass unfinished.

Ready to hear something really terrible?


I've actually had opened/recorked bottles of wine turn to vinegar before I got around to having another glass. The horror!


eta: My father was an alcoholic, so aside from a dozen or so episodes of stupid binge drinking as a youngster, I've always partaken in moderation. But I realize I'm only able to do that because I don't have the trigger in me. I *do* struggle mightily with food issues, i.e., eating to address emotions and not actual physical hunger/requirement of calories.