When everything is political, the truth–and following possibility of rational, purposive action–has already been lost.
Put another way, the truth is the first casualty in political warfare too.
Shamelessness is a disease stalking our landscape. It is impossible for me at this moment not to agree with Jacques Barzun that our civilization is formally decadent. Our leaders lie, and the people seek, without knowing it, people to tell them what to do.