Does this seem true?

[simcha_6]

States are built by the world's intelligentsia so that they may later be governed by fools.

Or perhaps

States are built by statesmen so that they may be ruled by politicians.

(Looking at all presidents following the founding fathers, it seems like we've seriously deviated from the original model of government.)

OK, I'm depressed now.

[The Doctor.]

1. Of course.

The people who are attracted to public service are rarely those who have the public interest at the fore of mind. Indeed, they are usually more attracted to power than to public achievement.

So for a time these types of people float to the top like so much fecal matter in a nicely engineered and decorated pool.

Then eventually the philosophers, the scientists, and the trodden get their message out and about and destroy the old system to remove the cancer.

I believe that we have a god enough system and advanced enough philosophies that we needn't eradicate our system to excise the infection... but it will take time, persistence, and sacrifice...

It always does.

[damntexdem]

2. Actually, there was plenty of corruption back then, too.

But the Founders did manage to rise above much of what they were to found this nation; and there were some extraordinary people among them.

But I doubt that they would have let a fool like Dubya anywhere near their deliberations.

[simcha_6]

3. It seems like they had principles, at least

It seems a lot of politicians now seek office in order to better their positions in life (please friends, pay off old debts, get book and speech deals, etc.) I wonder how many presidents we've had would have had the guts to stand up to authority, rather than trying to stay on the good side of the powerful.