The saddest legacy of the Bush Administration’s six-year trail of cronyism and corruption is that it contributes to the public’s already cynical view of government. This makes it even more difficult for those of us who believe that the purpose of government is to secure a better future for our country and all of its people. Repairing this sorry legacy is the first challenge our next President will face.

Rahm Emanuel: GOP’s Motto Is “Ask What Your Government Can Do For Our Party” | TPMCafe

So a conservative runs for office on a platform based in part on distrust of government. They win, and proceed to screw up time and again… in a fashion which seemingly proves their point, paving the way for the next peddler of government disdain.

It’s enough to make a modest civil servant cry.