by Loren J. Samons II, author of What’s Wrong with Democracy?
Demagogues, like white-tailed deer and telemarketers, have become a nuisance species in most parts of America. Multiplying wherever elections are held, they quickly become almost impossible to eradicate. Their highly repetitive and shrill calls tend to infect the songs of other species (especially those of the North American journalist and the closely related common pundit), until it becomes difficult to pick out the cry of the demagogue from the calls of those around him. Although demagogues can breed in almost any environment, they much prefer democracy and proliferate among a relatively apathetic and narcissistic population.
Gary Younge and Dan Chung have been taking a midterm election road trip for the Guardian that began in Dennis Hastert’s district, Yorkville, Illinois, and will conclude in Nancy Pelosi’s district, San Francisco, California.
Apathy and narcissism are rampant, but this particular interview reflects the worst of it, I think.