Mexico Election - 9 - Why Americans Hate E.J. Dionne

Several years ago Washington columnist E.J. Dionne did a book called "Why Americans Hate Politics" - it basically argued that people hate the divisions of politics. Since the publication of the book Dionne has shown himself to be a traditional Washington liberal.

In this morning's Bee he did some coverage of the Mexican election arguing that he hoped that the Mexican democracy would not fall into the trap of US politics of 2000. He said that he hoped the final arbitration of the election through the courts would not construct so narrow a decision as to apply only to one election at one time. What is wrong with that logic?

Well, to begin with, the Mexican system is not subject to hanging chads or any other fanciful imperfections that the Florida of 2000 had. The rules, even more than Florida in 2000, are clearly laid out and seem to have been followed with rigor. But the loser in the election is now trying to throw up anything to try to get it to stick. Dionne seems inclined at least to listen to the arguments if not buy them.

Why do Americans hate politics - Dionne was fundamentally correct in his macro analysis - Americans wish that those we elect would get down to business and do the work that we have hired them to do. But Americans, and I suspect Mexicans, also don't like political whiners. Set the rules, follow them and then accept the results. Dionne does not seem inclined to follow that simple precept.