Morphy;
    I get that you're using the term "optimistic" as a euphemism for naïve.  I know that even at our very best, whenever that was, America's government was corrupt. All governments are.  But there are degrees. Was Hitler more corrupt than the Weimar Republic? At the risk of sounding shrill, I see the face of true evil all over this current administration, much more so than any that's preceded it in my not so short lifetime. We are in deep poopy and must rise above it or the world will once again plunge into darkness.  The midterms will be very telling.

Morphy:  Sorry for putting words in your mouth.  I hope you know that I've always respected your opinion and intelligence.  I truly believe that when everything comes out in the wash this will be a very interesting piece of history.  Time will tell. We can leave it here.