What Has Happened To Political Spectrum?
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Reading the news today, I found myself wondering how many of the ideas that seem to be garnering serious credence across the American political spectrum ever made it past the pages of supermarket tabloids. It seems that many of our headline-grabbing politicians are operating ideological Ponzi schemes, spitting out anything that will keep their supporters fervent, loud, and loyal without concern for their statements and positions being framed with facts and logic. Even more disappointing are the citizens who ignore the collapsing scam and continue spouting off as virulently as ever — long after whatever inflammatory statement of the moment has been relegated to the dustbin. I find myself wondering when exactly the American dialogue degenerated into everyone from private citizens to radio talking heads to presidential candidates seemingly forming their platforms from a combination of bumper stickers and chain e-letters. As a quick example, search the Internet for
