Hehe,
Be very careful with the “fogies” concept. I can name several fascists that began their work by isolating the children, and teaching them that the ways of their parents were “outmoded” and “out of touch”. Several of them rolled across Europe in the not-too-distant past, and Asia.
The children are as cognizant as they are instructed. Some like to call this being “progressive”. I remember it used to be called “reeducation”.
“Character attacks work”. Hmm. Think about that. Relativism in its finest form. If one feels he’s right, attacking the individual versus his ideas is fair play? Is this Sun Tzu? Look again at your paragraph encompassing government, most notably, the idea that government “perfectly reflects the character of the people they represent”. Again, relativism: there are children under the age of eight with more character than many politicians. I’ll elaborate on this for you. Place a cookie on the table, and watch. The child will proceed to the cookie, he’ll look at you in the eye, and will wait for a sign of approval before taking the cookie.
Our politician? I’ll move things upward a bit. He needs to travel to Washington. He requisitions a VC-20 jet for a convenient flight, with staff, because it’s expected. He expects this kind of perk, feeling that he deserves it. No question over whether his fellow citizens will approve. In fact, he’ll requisition another taxpayer-funded flight for a family member or friend, because nobody questioned that free cookie when he was five, I guess.
Politicians make slime their art and craft, as persuasion and the resultant power behind it is a primary goal. I for one cannot blame their slickness on the moniker “give the people what they want”. People don’t really want such nonsense, they have come to expect it. That’s a far cry from simple acceptance of it.
One thing I am NOT afraid to accept. I CAN be wrong, it CAN be my fault, and I CAN learn and change things. I don’t need someone else to do that. Human nature has its limits; I cannot acquiesce and accept something short of excellence. This is probably where I differ from the “norm”.
Love it.
Don’t forget, the best forum for this is the Off-Topic page, so we can keep things centered on the Sansa here!
Bob 
