I have come to believe there is a principle of equilibrium at work in soceity.
The leadership people end up with, regardless of the system of government in a given country, is that which they deserve.
Bear with me here, I'm neither a scientist, nor writer of scholarly works.
If it were possible to calculate the intelligence and willingness to fight and/or die for a common set of beliefs, of an entire population of a given nation at a given time - and to some how create a physical manifestation of the "mean" - that average would be represented by government.
We in America have the leadership we do now, because the sum total of America's Brains, divided by it's Character = George Bush.
The corruption that allows his leadership is part of the equation - if enough blood is spilled, any tyrant can be deposed.
It is the extremes now evident in America that make it so startling, and in some ways unique - certainly very dangerous.
Consider not just how rich the rich are compared to the poor. But the contrast between the most and least intelligent, the most brutal and the kindest, the most ethical and the least ethical. These differences have always been present, in every soceity - but I know of no other culture that can boast both private citizens going into space, and an organized movement to teach Creationism in schools.
It is bizarre. It is inexplicable.
The primary battle I see in the country is not Republicans and Democrats - in reality they're only a couple degrees apart.
It's reason and compassion vs. blind faith and intolerance.
We all know which of the two can get you to the moon. Now if we can only build a ship large enough to carry all those in favour of the former - I'll be first to board.
On this particular planet of the Apes, the Apes appear to be winning.