| "Professor, you must admit that last November | | | | could not have been more different. In the 1850's |
| mid term elections have been characterized by a | | | | the Democrats were generally pro-slavery and |
| sewer aroma. Not only the abusive use of | | | | also favored liberal economic policies that had a |
| negative ads, bordering on defamation and | | | | strong populist accent. The Republicans on the |
| indefensible vulgarity, but the prostitution of those | | | | other hand were generally anti-slavery and |
| concepts and ideals that have guided this country | | | | supported economic policies of a conservative |
| for many years" | | | | nature." |
| "Sad but true. Civilized dialogue seems to have | | | | We honored Antoine's offer, made the expected |
| been olympically ignored. I just hope that now | | | | praises and then the Professor continued: |
| that we have a different voice in Congress some | | | | "After the Civil War, the two parties exhibited |
| civility will prevail" | | | | clear tendencies that accentuated their |
| "What is causing this serious division among | | | | differences. The Democratic Party was pro-white, |
| Americans? You hear so many labels that it is | | | | pro-settler party, and the Republicans were |
| difficult to keep track on what is what, or seems | | | | decidedly pro-black, pro-rancher party. A popular |
| to be. We have Democrats and Republicans, then | | | | perception at the time portrayed Democrats as |
| liberals and conservatives, leftists, centrists, | | | | the farmers and the dominating owners as |
| moderates on the left, moderates on the right | | | | Republicans." |
| whatever those extremes mean, radicals on both | | | | "How long did this last?" |
| sides plus some in the middle or thereabouts, then | | | | "Not very long. By the end of the century, both |
| the neo-conservatives, neo-liberals, theocrats, | | | | parties were pro-white. Their major differences |
| libertarians, fundamentalists, fiscal conservatives, | | | | concerned budgets and public expenditures; the |
| ultraconservatives, independents, traditionalists, | | | | democrats favored a liberal approach while the |
| etc." | | | | Republicans were in favor of limited expenditures. |
| I had to pause to catch my breath. Besides, I did | | | | By the time we entered the Second World War, |
| not wish for my pre-breakfast "colemono" or | | | | the roles were reversed. Northern Democrats |
| Monkey Tail (coffe, milk and Pisco) to get cold, I | | | | became pro civil rights although Southern |
| continued: | | | | Democrats opposed this while Republicans were |
| "Then there are the Christian Rightists, which | | | | unclear on the issue. This led to a split in the |
| would lead one to suspect that there are also | | | | Democratic Party that lasted twenty years and |
| Christian Leftists and, naturally, an Independent | | | | even caused some Southern Democrats to make |
| Christian Movement, plus a Southern Christian | | | | a separate run for the presidency to protest pro |
| Movement and a Northern Coalition. What about | | | | civil rights policies of the Northern Democrats - |
| the West? The Northeast? The Southwest? The | | | | Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats in 1948 and |
| Southeast? Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska?" | | | | George Wallace in 1968." |
| It has been a long time since I have posed a | | | | "It seems to me that at present, the roles of |
| question using so many words. Reminds me of | | | | both parties with respect to economic policies are |
| those White House reporters and others that | | | | pretty much the same as they always have |
| take about 20 minutes to pose the question that | | | | been.. The good thing is that their love for the |
| by the time they are through asking, everyone | | | | country is real. They might disagree on some |
| has forgotten why they are there and it is | | | | issues but they generally in agreement issues |
| lunchtime. The Professor noticed it and smiled as | | | | such as strong national defense; good education |
| he sentenced: | | | | for our children and high standards of excellence in |
| "Think of it as the price for having the kind of | | | | government." |
| freedoms we enjoy; in theory those freedoms | | | | The Professor smiled and said: |
| encourage you to create whatever comforts, | | | | "One thing we must not ignore is that all the |
| whether abstract or material, suit you. In a | | | | political currents and domestic and foreign policies |
| nutshell I can assure you that behind every one | | | | in government are affected by the fellow driving |
| of those labels there is a personal agenda, | | | | the cart." |
| personal interests and occasionally an honest | | | | "So, Professor, we are at a moment when |
| concern for the rest of the herd" | | | | policies are vague, visions do not exist and |
| "You'll have to explain such lofty descriptions to | | | | problems abound in almost every area of life in |
| me. It is too early in the morning for me to | | | | the country, beginning with Immigration, Health |
| operate on all cylinders" | | | | Care, increased threats from other countries, |
| "Fine but first let us have breakfast" At that | | | | invented wars and poor relations with other |
| precise moment Antoine, the professor's valet | | | | countries. What should be done?" |
| and operations manager, appeared to announce | | | | He replied: "You know what Perry Mason said?" |
| that breakfast was ready. | | | | I didn't. He answered: |
| Once seated at the tempting breakfast table, the | | | | "The culprit is not always the valet. Look for him |
| Professor continued: | | | | under the roof of a big White House! |
| "If we look at history we find that the parties | | | | |