The demagogue Senator Richard Shelby

In times of extreme stress an environment exists that is conducive to the rise of harsh demogogues that exploit popular fears. In the 1930's we certainly had our share, some of more substance than others, and now we have wannabes like Rush Limbaugh and the real thing like Senator Shelby of Alabama. There can certainly be differing views on the challenges that face us, but can anyone possibly suggest that Shelby's bombast and venom is remotely constructive.

In the early 1990's I had a business relationship with nice fellow who was a hard and fast conservative Republican in every way. He had useful connections in Congress and had once worked on Capital Hill as head of staff for a Senator. One day we were having a discussion on politics, disagreeing in a pleasant way that is almost hard to imagine now. I mentioned Senator Shelby to him as a counterpoint in our discussion and my business friend's face contorted in a way that made him look like he was about to spit. He then said, "he's a bad person, an ugly person, he can't be trusted". That comment was so out of my friend's staunch Republican character and his usual unwillingness to bend in the slightest on any argument that it has been with me ever since.

Brother, do we see that today. Let me step on the chalk line of political correctness and say that we are not only dealing with Senator Shelby's character or lack thereof, his strong "conservative" views, his intense resentment of anything related to the northeast or the west coast, but also the relevance of the fact that we have an African American President. Senator Shelby has no interest in being constructive or contributing to a solution. He would rather bring us down than show any sign of cooperation.