What Other People Think About Politics and Elections

I've spent a lot of time in this blog over the last few months whining about the depressing presidential election season. About how we've got cheap discount candidates from Wal-Mart instead of top-of-the-line statesmen from Nieman-Marcus. I've got electile dysfunction.

But, of course, I'm not the only one who has a jaded concept of politics and elections. Here's a collection of quotes from other smart people who have thoughts on the subject of politicians, elections, and government in general:

"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin (and no, he wasn't talking about Florida)

"Democracy is the most equitable form of government because, in it, greed and corruption are most widely spread." - Stephen Millich

"Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few." - George Bernard Shaw (yes, I know I used this one a while back, but it still applies!)

"Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks." - Doug Larson

"When ideas fail, words come in very handy." - Goethe

"Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them." - Paul Valery

"The reason there are so few female politicians is that it is too much trouble to put makeup on two faces." - Maureen Murphy

"We need anything politically important rationed out like PEZ: small, sweet, and coming out of a funny, plastic head." - Dennis Miller

"An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought." - Simon Cameron

"It is dangerous for a national candidate to say things that people might remember." - Eugene McCarthy

"When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and that TV has merely demonstrated that not all the performers are well trained." - Edward R. Murrow (I think I've used this quote before, too, but I still love it)

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for, as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." - H. L. Mencken

"My feeling is we've bowed too far to the idiots. This is true in politics, journalism, and just about everything else." - Peggy Noonan

"The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too." - Oscar Levant

Okay, that's enough. I have to save enough cynicism to last for the next six months. And the four years after that.

Have a good day. More thoughts (of my own!) tomorrow.

Bilbo