[T]he attention span for political affairs in a democracy is a limited one. The fundamental genius of a liberal democracy lies in how it restrains government and permits its citizens to pursue their own interests without unnecessary molestation. So when we must address political or national issues-whether it's "On to Richmond” or "54-40 or Fight”-we want problems addressed swiftly, so that we can turn back to our private concerns. When that doesn't happen, we turn back to the private concerns anyway, and the problems and their solutions are left to fester or find their own solutions. (Allen C. Guelzo)

[T]he attention span for political affairs in a democracy is a limited one. The fundamental genius of a liberal democracy lies in how it restrains government and permits its citizens to pursue their own interests without unnecessary molestation. So when we must address political or national issues-whether it's "On to Richmond” or "54-40 or Fight”-we want problems addressed swiftly, so that we can turn back to our private concerns. When that doesn't happen, we turn back to the private concerns anyway, and the problems and their solutions are left to fester or find their own solutions.

Allen C. Guelzo

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