I’m a political junky and – almost unique among my tribe – also a believer in our political system. <\/p>\n
Modern American democracy is messy, ugly, shrill, venal — and it’s better than anything we’ve ever seen before.<\/p>\n
Imperfect? Oh, yeah. But over the decades, our political system has become steadily more inclusive, more transparent, and more fair.<\/p>\n
Which leads me to this rather despairing moment. Surveys suggest that most Americans are feeling fairly buoyant over President Barack Obama’s opening months.<\/p>\n
But it’s hard to feel upbeat about what’s happening at the state level. Our biggest state, California, is very nearly insolvent.<\/p>\n
The state is being led by a former movie star who — while exceeding expectations — can hardly be the best and brightest leader available.<\/p>\n
And it’s hampered by voters who seem to want more and more public services without paying taxes.<\/p>\n
And then there’s New York. Ah, New York.<\/p>\n
The turmoil in Albany in recent years has resembled the worst political melodramas of Argentina or Mexico.<\/p>\n
Sex scandals, political coups, corruption probes. The current crisis was engineered in part by a Democratic lawmaker under indictment for savagely attacking his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Yeesh.<\/p>\n
What’s certain is that behind all this childishness real crises and issues are growing and metastasizing. The pension fund shortfall, property taxes, the budget gap, farmer worker laws, same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n
When Sens. Smith and Skelos resolve their idiotic stand-off, the bill collectors will still be standing at the door.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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