Politics-as-sportnnow is the norm

--Check all the sports scores each day, determining which teams are on the way to a championship.

--Check the latest polls and elections, determining which party is up or down in the current political arena.

Our point?

It is quite simple actually -- more and more politics is becoming just like any other sporting game. Winning elections and taking or retaining "power" is the real aim -- responsible governing has faded into the background.

We hate to sound so cynical about it, but facts can't be denied. After many years of considering it important as a citizen to become informed on the issues and be involved in participatory democracy, we must now admit to disappointing doubt about the entire process. If you want to follow a sport, why not make it a real one instead of a crass political game?

At this point, we must clarify -- essentially we are referring to national politics. We still see a sense of responsibility and fairness on the local and state levels, where poisonous partisanship is not so pronounced. For example, in the Arkansas General Assembly there is evidence (in general) that Republicans and Democrats often can put aside petty politics and work together.

Partisanship has always been a factor in the American political landscape, but it is hard to imagine any period as toxic as the present day.

The art of compromise has disappeared, perhaps seldom more clearly than in the recent "debate" and vote over national health care reform. Amazingly, out of all the members of Congress, only one Republican in the House voted for reform and none in the Senate.

On the other side, every single Democratic Senator voted for the proposal. Only among Democrats in the House was there any "breaking of rank" on this issue.

While both parties are to blame for this current unworkable situation, the clear reality is Republicans are the more inflexible. The traditional "moderate Republican" in the mold of Eisenhower, Rockefeller and others is a relic of the past.

On the other hand, there are significant "conservative Democrats," many of them from the South, who will break with party discipline on certain issues.

At any rate, our national and congressional elections now essentially are treated as "horse races," with the effect on the "balance of power" the only real point of emphasis.

While we will be quick to acknowledge there are many aspects of the heath reform bills that should not be praised (any progressive change never is perfect in its first embodiment), the real story is twofold -- the shocking lack of knowledge of the specifics of the legislation by so many and the almost-criminal distortions of fact promoted by reform opponents.

The casual manner in which "Socialism," "Marxism" and other similar slurs have been cast about in recent months is not only disappointing -- it is destructive to the basic foundation of our system.

Those who have promoted mean-spiritedness for the sake of raw political power have a chilling effect on those who believe in reason, dialogue, compromise and a sense of goodwill.

Looking forward, if you like politics-as-sport with no holds barred, the future looks bright. If you are more into analyzing problems and seeking solutions for the common good, you may want to consider staying on the sidelines.

--REK