In capital after state capital, Washington’s toxic culture is seeping in, suffocating local tradition and replacing it with the Beltway’s unique contribution to American politics—the practice of permanent, total war. The shrill partisanship, hardball politics and legislative stalemate that marked Madison’s recent turn in the national spotlight are becoming an increasingly familiar presence, exported from the national parties and the campaign tradesmen and special interests who run and finance their campaigns.I think it's absolutely true. Thanks to the 24/7 media blitz, it's incredibly easy for the casual citizen to see what have become the clearly marked lines "THIS is Republican, THIS is Democrat, and nary the twain shall meet!" Knowing which "team" one should be on is a very immediate thing now. And a governor who wouldn't mind being more than just a state governor know this; otherwise, it's hard to picture so many governors suddenly doubling down on "all or nothing, line in the sand!" so harshly without this national spotlight shining on them.
Also, social media has made it that much quicker for politicians in Shitkickerville, USA to get noticed by higher level parties, meaning that instead of spending a lot of time forming useful connections with fellow local politicians and creating a resumé of competency, they can become well-known for acting like an asshole on YouTube (see "Christie, Chris.") THIS JERKOFF is easy to laugh at now, but if he's savvy enough ("TOO passionate about freedom!!!!"), he can turn this video into something lucrative for himself on a higher level, going from the usually nebulous position of county treasurer to national political figure, and since he was chosen by party leaders because he showed himself to be insane, there's no way he's gonna then try to win people over with his having kept a small town's books rather tidy; he's gonna have to be an extremist on whatever side will have him. rinse, lather, repeat.
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