A Body Distinct

by poputonian

In a letter written in the months before America declared its independence, Samuel Adams described the way in which soldiers lose their sense of citizenship:

A standing army, however necessary it may be at some times, is always dangerous to the liberties of the people. Soldiers are apt to consider themselves as a body distinct from the rest of the citizens. They have their arms always in their hands. Their rules and their discipline is severe. They soon become attached to their officers and disposed to yield implicit obedience to their commands. Such a power should be watched with a jealous eye.
…
Men who have been long subject to military laws, and inured to military customs and habits, may lose the spirit and feeling of citizens. And even citizens, having been used to admiring the heroism which the Commanders of their own Army have displayed, and to look upon them as their saviors, may be prevailed upon to surrender to them those rights for the protection of which against invaders they had employed and paid them. We have seen too much of this disposition among some of our countrymen.

Impeachment scares modern politicians who have institutionalized into two competing tribes, each of them set apart as a body distinct from the rest of the citizens. Having been inured to political customs and habits, they long ago lost the spirit and feeling of citizens. They implore that impeachment should not be pursued, and explain why with political rationalizations that only protect the tribe.

This political cartoon summarizes it brilliantly, including the Donkey and the Elephant placed outside the frame where the citizens are standing.

Well done by Dave the Rave and Kagro X.