Politics defined

From The Devil's Dictionary, by Ambrose Bierce:

Conservative, n. A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

A timeless truth

Chesterton is quoted in the sidebar comment "About this blog." Here's another Chesterton quote that applies at all times, and particularly to our political culture in America:

"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected."