When Richard Nixon said, “I am not a crook,” in 1973, he was, very likely, speaking in terms of his conviction that “when the President does it, it’s not illegal”–an interpretation that was entirely consistent with the principle of “sovereign immunity,” a principle that had survived unchallenged since the founding of the nation. We had gotten rid of the sovereign or ruler, but not the idea that the official actions of an agent of the state could not be challenged, regardless of the injury they inflicted on others, or even the state itself, unless it could be proved that a purely personal interest was being served. (more…)
Power is addictive. Like other addictions, it’s not likely to be overcome by the addict, especially since there’s no apparent self-injury involved.
Power feeds on deprivation and the deprivation is suffered by someone else. In that respect, the lust for power resembled racial animus. The “benefit” accrues to one party; the “cost” is borne by another. It’s the same pattern which accounts for the transfer of public assets into private wealth.
It’s probably not a consequence of Alzheimer’s disease. More likely, it’s pre-frontal lobe syndrome. Which also accounts for her inability to remember the correct sequence of events. Habitual behavior and verbal acuity tend to compensate, much as auditory acuity serves the visually impaired. The prevalence of pre-frontal lobe syndrome is difficult to quantify because in a supportive, highly directed environment a compliant person doesn’t stand out.
Dan Pfeiffer, White House Communications Director, wrote on the White House blog that
Let’s be clear: Sen. Shelby is preventing qualified nominees who will help protect the American people from being confirmed. He’s not alone, though. This is just the latest example of this kind opposition for opposition’s sake that the President talked about earlier this week..
Which is accurate, as far as it goes, but really just a symptom of a bigger problem. (more…)
