Elections Are Messy Business

Elections are never pretty. Desperation doesn’t brings out the best in people. But some elections are messier than others. The presidential election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was particularly rough.

And during the Great Depression, the American people were particularly discouraged by politics and angry with their elected officials.  As Will Rogers complained:

"There ought to be one day -- just one -- where there is open season on senators."

~~ Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Well voting is as close as we get to open season on politicians. And it is probably no coincidence that election day is during hunting season. So here are some historical quotes for you to ponder this election day as you get ready to pull the tri– ah, lever.

"Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other."

~~ Oscar Ameringer (1870-1943)

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"We have plenty of Confidence in this country, but we are a little short of good men to place our Confidence in."

  ~~ Will Rogers (1879-1935)

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"A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation."

  ~~ James Freeman Clarke (1810-1888), Sermon

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"I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work.  Of course it doesn't work.  We are supposed to work it."

  ~~ Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943)

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"The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty [voting]; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be sqandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."

~~ Noah Webster (1758 -1843)

Now if only we had an open season on the media… Would you vote the media out?

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