I just don't see that the Democrats are any better than their right wing counterparts. I cannot in good conscience affiliate myself with either group. Regarding the subject of change: Samuel Johnson lamented in the 1770s that politicians existed only to serve themselves, not their constituents. I've never seen anything to suggest otherwise. Any good they do for the populace is simply a residual effect to lining their own pockets, an inadvertent trickling down.........

ORIGINAL: Jessie Sammler

Samuel Johnson lamented in the 1770s that politicians existed only to serve themselves, not their constituents. I've never seen anything to suggest otherwise. Any good they do for the populace is simply a residual effect to lining their own pockets, an inadvertent trickling down.........

I think there have been certain notable exceptions, though. What about real leaders like Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and Winston Churchill?

Perhaps I went too far in saying that I've NEVER seen any exceptions. I tend to wax hyperbolic occasionally. Nevertheless, the overhelming majority of politicians are mainly concerned with their own gain. And perhaps it is more prevalent in modern times, say the last 150 years, when the separation of the classes has become more glaringly evident. John Adams, for example, lived in scarcely more comfortable conditions than the average citizen. Our leaders are millionaires who have never shared the conditions that the great unwashed live in. They live in opulence like Louis XVI, and are similarly out of touch with the populace. JMHO.
Mark

I should know better, politics and religion are always dicey subjects. Again, my apologies.

This in a forum where we have holy wars over VST instruments.

Oh my whiskers!

Truth, with a big "T", historically, was once a subject of great interest. Often people claim an insight to Truth, an inside track originating in logic, their heart, God, or some greater power. They claim to know the geniune article when they see it.

A prominent teacher postulated a simple example that demonstrates the futility of this claim.

1. All Cretans are liars.
2. I am a Cretan.


Sometime later in an entirely different context, a second wise man remarked:

"I'd never belong to a club that had me for a member."

I view most political rhetoric and the promises made by anyone seeking political office within the context of these two anecdotes.

rumleymusic,

Sorry, I didn't pick-up on your humor. It's hard for me to express, or read humor in these post. It must be a talent. And, please trust me I am not hostile in any sense of the word. Truce?

rumleymusic,

Sorry, I didn't pick-up on your humor. It's hard for me to express, or read humor in these post. It must be a talent. And, please trust me I am not hostile in any sense of the word. Truce?

as more and more of us die off, who will be left to understand all this stuff.

Who will be left who remembers what musical instruments and voices actually sound like?

Your post made me think,Mike .Here in little old England, there is nothing like that tradition of bedrock musical roots which seems so prevalent over the pond--no sort of take it for granted musical endeavor the same, as it seems to be over there from 'the common man' and his family.

Thats a shame. England has got a folk song tradition ,there are folk singers obviously, but it seems to be nowhere near as strong or /and family based as in the celtic areas of the UK ----- there just seems to be a stronger more popular tradition of music in general in Wales ,Ireland and Scotland.

In England [though I cant speak for anywhere else], music in school seems to be for those who can afford it--for the middle classes-- and with mainly classical bias. Anyone else makes their own way.

My experience of music in school is as follows--- having to play a squeeky wooden recorder things like the descants to hymns while Beatlemania was in full swing.We once had to listen to an old bloke stand there and rubbish Bert Weedons book 'play in a day' for 10 minutes. When I got to the sixth form there were 6 out of the entire 6th forms of about 70 doing musical appreciation----I was one.

I think that if the broad base of musical education is not kept up either at school or at home then it becomes smaller and impoverished.I really hope that 'family music' keeps going your side of the pond as that's how the aged****s get replaced.

cheers, MARSAL.

"Who will be left who remembers what musical instruments and voices actually sound like?"

It IS scary to think that someday we won't even have instruments anymore..... My Dad was a band director and he's just amazed at the things that I can do in my studio with just a MIDI connection. Single instruments or a symphony....whatever is called for in the track.

Oh yeah..... about the original post....

I'm gonna live forever and try to teach and help as many as I can and hope for the best.

Hey Rbh, with a bit more effort you could be a floating voter! Oh, what do I know,I live in the UK have to be in awe of political giants like Gordon Brown.
marsal.