In the Soviet Union, capitalism triumphed over communism. In this country [United States], capitalism triumphed over democracy.
Fran Lebowitz, author
A friend of mine sent me this line the other day, heading the e-mail: 'Sad truth. She's American but 'this' could be many countries.'
Sad truth indeed, if true, but I don't think it is, not of any country.
Let's disregard that bit about the Soviet Union. Communism killed itself. It was always a form of economic suicide. Let's note instead that, with three months still to go to a presidential election, the hustings in the US resound to the usual bellowing political rant. Triumph over democracy in the US? I'd like to see someone try.
But there is indeed an insidious threat to it, one that the founding fathers foresaw when they created a political system so full of checks and balances against tyranny that they left little room for initiative.