A reader writes:
I don't believe the nomination of Palin is where our system became decadent, nor the Clinton sex scandal. VPs are often chosen for less than scrupulous reason and Clinton just got caught on what something that has and is currently always going on with politicians. I believe that our political system hit its lowest point of decadence during the "Swift Boating" of John Kerry by the Bush campaign. War heroism is something that all sane and rational people honor and respect. Rove's calculated strategy to attack Kerry's strength and besmirch his heroic acts in Vietnam crossed a line that should never be crossed, especially by an administration that started two wars and used them and the military as an advantage in every possible way. At that point, I remember thinking to myself that the floodgates have been opened to a new, bottom-feeder level.
Another writes:
I felt that the swiftboating of Kerry was a really seminal moment, because the stories were completely untrue, and the election was close enough that I believe Kerry would have won if it weren't for the smear. When I talk politics with people I know, I tend to give that more emphasis than they do. But I felt like a lot was riding on that election, and that it was decided by accusations that were really emblematic of the kind of decadence we're talking about. The birther stuff is just as crazy, but I don't know that it's had the same impact as the swiftboat campaign.
(Photo: Delegate Shannon Marylin wears a band-aid displaying a heart shape in the color purple, meant to make light of John Kerry allegedly earning purple hearts in Vietnam for superficial wounds, at the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 31, 2004. By Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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