It looks like the Democrats are moving toward a coronation of Hillary Clinton as Obama and Edwards seem so weary or stale. Obama has decided to attack flag lapel pins, and Edwards has gone from being a populist to a prissy wealthy liability lawyer.    So that gives us time to focus at least for now on the Republicans.  And one can see them in bloom at their Detroit debate, celebrating capitalism, Bush, budget cuts, and themselves.  Like an old marriage, we have heard all that before with some exceptions.

It used to be that some had aspirations that a 24-7 media would lead to a general uplift in the culture, arts, and political understandings of the people. Such a promise seemed to fulfill Thomas Jefferson’s admonition that a people could not be both ignorant and free.  But what is happening is disappointing.  First, the major non-cable networks have moved their resources out of nightly news.  If one examines, for example, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric one will see a 30-minute show that gives us 22 minutes of news, but a good part is soft news which is entertainment not enlightenment.  Then CBS and the other two networks wonder why the number of people watching their news has significantly dropped over the years.

British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said the purpose of the opposition is to oppose.  So why doesn't the New Jersey Republican party oppose more effectively and often?  The reality is that elected Republicans in the state legislature are a part of the establishment that enjoys the perks of public office that they and the Democrats put in place over the years.

Also the GOP is unable to capitalize on the Democrats’ considerable problems.  They do not cultivate and field and most importantly fund young candidates of promise in enough districts to make a difference even if they have a good year.  One should not have to self-fund a political campaign to be able to run for office especially in the beginning of a political career.