The brand
of politics served out to us by the professional politician has long
been composed largely of hot meals for the interests and hot air for the
people, and we have all known it.
Political platforms are not sincere statements of what the leaders of a
party really believe, but rather forms of words which those leaders
think they can get others to believe they believe. The realities of the
regular political game lie at present far beneath the surface; many of
the issues advanced are mere empty sound; while the issues really at
stake must be sought deep down in the politics of business--in politics
for revenue only. All this the people realize as they never did before,
and, what is more, they are ready to act on their knowledge.
Some of the men who are responsible for the union of business and
politics may be profoundly dishonest, but more of them are not. They
were trained in a wrong school, and they cannot forget their training.
Clay hardens by immobility--men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the
power to take new impressions. Many of the old-style leaders regard the
political truths which alone insure the progress of the Nation, and will
hereafter completely dominate it, as the mere meaningless babble of
political infants.
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