Can the USA drive cowardice out of politics?

(written by Lawrence Krubner, however indented passages are often quotes)

Tim Bray complains about the stupid things the USA does because of the panic it has suffered since 9/11.

The saddest thing is how much this fear has undermined and destroyed the Republican Party. Starting with the election of 1948, the Republicans began to realize they could get votes by stoking fears of overseas threats. Very slowly, over the decades, the Republican party got increasingly addicted to the boost they could get through this tactic. And, because of it, they went from being The Party Of Liberty to being The Party That Takes Away Your Liberty So As To Protect You.

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