David Hume in a letter to Adam Smith, bemoaning political life:
“Superstition and Ignorance gain Ground daily.” -- September 1765
Which leads to Hume’s growing apathy:
“Why shoud I forgo Idleness and Sauntering and Society; and expose myself again to the Clamours of a stupid, factious Public? I am not yet tir’d of doing nothing; and am become too wise either to mind Censure or Applause.” -- January 1766
This is the danger of our day—that the scandal after scandal, and the crass political maneuverings over taxes, the environment, general governance, and the lack of common decency at the top of all branches of government—will make us all want to retreat into our shells, waiting for this absurd time to pass.
But will it pass if we so retreat? Step 1 is to start the work at local levels to reduce the force of gerrymandering--the real threat to democracy.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, even or especially to those of differing views! We have much to be grateful for, even as we battle over the particulars.
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