The damage the ideologues have done to the nation is incalculable, and probably irreversible. Its not just because they have succeeded in implementing bad policies, but because they have poisoned the very give and take of compromise and debate. Yes, there have always been "factions" in America, each side convinced the other was utterly mistaken and driving the country to ruin. But we've always muddled along because deep inside we always felt the other guy at least shared our vision for the future, the dispute was always on which path to take us there.

There is one great exception to that, of course, the Civil War, and in a way we are still fighting that conflict, for pretty much the same reasons. This idea that the other guy is not just mistaken, but a traitor, or at best, a useful idiot subverted by traitors, will destroy this nation just like the the issues of the Civil War almost succeeded in destroying us. It is the old conflict of the nation-state vs the feudal aristocracy cast in modern dress. Except now, instead of a king we have divided, representative government, and instead of a landed aristocracy, we have a commercial oligarchy and a financial plutocracy.

I know I've beat this analogy to death in other posts, but bear with me just once more. I'll be 67 this month, I've seen a lot of history roll by, and at my age I can see its glacial flow over time in stark relief, the way a maturely dissected landscape best reveals its folds and dips in the light of a setting sun. The patterns are starting to become visible, just the way the lengthening shadows help accent the relief. I've lived all over this country, but I was born and raised in the deep south, and with the perspective of an immigrant from another culture, I do believe I can sense trends and conflicts which may not be obvious to those who do not have the advantage of that point of view. I was a senior in high school the year the Beatles came out, JFK was shot, The Civil Rights act was passed, and Barry Goldwater ran for President.

This nation is tearing itself apart, and it is so sad because there is so much good here, so much worth saving, so much of value. I love this country, but its like being in love with a crazy woman. I've been there too; it can really break your heart, and you never really get over it.