I don't drag politics into my blog often. Current affairs not related to ancient Hellas rarely feature here. Every once in a while, I make an exception for American politics, because by the Gods, Themis and Dike are weeping during the Kavanaugh hearings. For the record, I stand with Dr. Ford and there is literally nothing you can say that will change that, so don't bother trying. This is not about her and Kavanaugh directly, though. this is about the fact that Kavanaugh will be sworn in anyway, because the American political landscape is rotten to the core. It's being manipulated, and bought, and destroyed from the inside out and maybe you're one of the 56% who thinks Kavanaugh should still be sworn in as a Supreme Court judge after it's been proven he's committed a crime and none of this is an issue for you, but it is to me. Listen to Aristotle and wake up.
“If election based on wealth is oligarchic while election according to excellence is aristocratic, there can be a third system according to which a state is organized as the Carthaginian polity is constructed. For they choose their leaders looking at two issues, especially the most significant offices, that of kings and generals.
But it is right to think that this departure from aristocracy is an error by the lawmaker. For among the most critical issues to consider from the beginning is how the best citizens might be able to have the free time and to refrain from anything inappropriate, both in office and in their private life. If it is right to consider furnishing the means for free time [to rule], it is bad for the most significant positions to be for sale (the kingship and the generalship).
For this law makes wealth more important than virtue and makes the whole state structured around money. Whatever the power structure considers valuable, the opinion of the rest of the citizens will follow. Wherever virtue is not honored above all else, the constitution cannot be aristocratic. It is also likely that those who purchase their offices will make a profit from them when they rule after spending their own money. For, it would be strange if a respectable man who is poor will want to profit but a corrupt man who has spent his own money would be disinclined to do the same.”
“If election based on wealth is oligarchic while election according to excellence is aristocratic, there can be a third system according to which a state is organized as the Carthaginian polity is constructed. For they choose their leaders looking at two issues, especially the most significant offices, that of kings and generals.
But it is right to think that this departure from aristocracy is an error by the lawmaker. For among the most critical issues to consider from the beginning is how the best citizens might be able to have the free time and to refrain from anything inappropriate, both in office and in their private life. If it is right to consider furnishing the means for free time [to rule], it is bad for the most significant positions to be for sale (the kingship and the generalship).
For this law makes wealth more important than virtue and makes the whole state structured around money. Whatever the power structure considers valuable, the opinion of the rest of the citizens will follow. Wherever virtue is not honored above all else, the constitution cannot be aristocratic. It is also likely that those who purchase their offices will make a profit from them when they rule after spending their own money. For, it would be strange if a respectable man who is poor will want to profit but a corrupt man who has spent his own money would be disinclined to do the same.”
[Politics 2.7 (1273a-1273b)]
1 comment:
I do agree with you. Of course, I read Aristotle and revere Themis and Dike. Kavanaugh is a known liar. He lied under oath (perjury) in order to get his seat on the 9th Circuit. Right now he should be kicked off that court and dis-barred (as well as Clarence Thomas on the SC). As more things are coming out of this investigation, the more we know about his slimy character. He should do the ethical thing and take his name out of the nomination process himself (throw himself on his own sword). However, I don't think he is an honourable man.
Post a Comment