A nation at risk?

H.L. Menken famously noted that "the saddest life is that of a political aspirant under democracy. His failure is ignominious and his success is disgraceful." With Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton performing strongly in the national polls, as well as in the Iowa Caucuses, this observation acquires particular relevance. Is the political future of the American Republic stranded between the rocks of ignominy and the shoals of disgrace? Is America doomed to suffer countless indigni

H.L. Menken famously noted that "the saddest life is that of a political aspirant under democracy. His failure is ignominious and his success is disgraceful." With Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton performing strongly in the national polls, as well as in the Iowa Caucuses, this observation acquires particular relevance. Is the political future of the American Republic stranded between the rocks of ignominy and the shoals of disgrace? Is America doomed to suffer countless indigni…