Same As It Ever Was

 

  For those who may be dismayed over the crapfest known as American politics, be of relative good cheer.

  This kind of venom has always been with us.  It's just that the existence of television and the pervasive influence of the cesspool of hatred and despair (i.e., social media) make it seem like we're experiencing something new.

  In fact, one doesn't have to do a lot of digging to find similar examples.  The rise of partisan vitriol has been a part of politics since nearly the beginning of our nation.  Even though George Washington warned against the corrosive nature of parties,

And foreign entanglements. 
That also didn't turn out too well.

the rise of the Federalists and Republicans (different kind of Republicans) kicked off an animosity which continues nearly unabated to this day.

  The leader of the Federalists, Alexander Hamilton, butted heads quite frequently with the leader of the Republicans, Thomas Jefferson.  In fact, they may have hated each other. Violence, including riots, broke out quite often between their parties.

That said, at least Jefferson didn't plug him.

  John Adams, a noted curmudgeon ridiculed as "His Rotundity," was so butthurt over being replaced by Jefferson that he refused to attend his successor's inauguration.

"More than a little hurtful, to be honest."

  Friends during the Revolution, Adams and Jefferson became bitter opponents. In later life, they pretty much reconciled and became geriatric pen pals.

"I, too, hate it when Whigs get on my lawn."

  The angst didn't stop there...John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Warren Harding, FDR, Bill Clinton, and so on.

  And, obviously, Abraham Lincoln. The schism created by his presidency resulted in hundreds of thousands killed.

  By the way, if anyone thinks Donald Trump was the first president to win the electoral college and lose the popular vote, you may want to pick up a history book.  Happened more than you think.

  Of course, in 2024, he won both.  Didn’t stop the hate, though.

  Don't get me wrong. None of what is going on in today's society is good.  Personally, I've been sick about it for years.  And I'm quite sure it will go on.

More than likely, in fact.

    My point is, it's not unprecedented. Maybe there is some comfort there. Perhaps not.

  Just imagine, though, if Richard Nixon had an X account.

"If I did, I would so dish on you pinkos."