How fitting that the touchstone of contemporary politicians is to "put politics aside," when political parties (which are, as far as I know, still deeply involved in politics) are the engines of the national political arena. Just to give a sense for the influence of political parties over the federal government, here is the very short list of senators not re-elected in party primaries. Note the newest "member of the club" Sen. Lieberman, with whom I often disagree, is a perfect example of a senator politically breaking with the party.

from "Dethroned in Primaries" printed in the Washington Post on Sunday, April 13, 2008; Page A08

Senators defeated in party primaries since 1970:

· Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) defeated by Ned Lamont (2006).

· Bob Smith (R-N.H.) defeated by John E. Sununu (2002).

· Sheila Frahm (R-Kan.) defeated by Sam Brownback (1996).

· Alan Dixon (D-Ill.) defeated by Carol Moseley Braun (1992).

· Donald Stewart (D-Ala.) defeated by Jim Folsom Jr. (1980).

· Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) defeated by Clark S. Gruening (1980).

· Richard Stone (D-Fla.) defeated by Bill Gunter (1980).

· Jacob K. Javits (R-N.Y.) defeated by Alfonse M. D'Amato (1980).

· Maryon P. Allen (D-Ala.) defeated by Donald Stewart (1978).

· Paul Hatfield (D-Mont.) defeated by Max Baucus (1978).

· Clifford Case (R-N.J.) defeated by Jeff Bell (1978).

· William Fulbright (D-Ark.) defeated by Dale Bumpers (1974).

· Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) defeated by John Glenn (1974).

· David Gambrell (D-Ga.) defeated by Sam Nunn (1972).

· B. Everett Jordan (D-N.C.) defeated by Nick Galifianakis (1972).

· Ralph Yarborough (D-Tex.) defeated by Lloyd Bentsen (1970).

opiate or ...

was just thinking about the nearly stale quote from marx about religion being the opiate of the masses relates to the history of facism (especially the mussolinist flavor) and to my thoughts about form and unity