...in all matters of great national moment, the only true line of conduct, in my opinion, is, dispassionately to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the measure proposed and decide from the balance. To Henry Lee, October 31, 1786
I suppose that to expand on this would define "superfluity." Yet I am thinking about this in conjunction with the "debate" on the proposed legislation the Senate is taking up now.
The keyword here, I think, is "dispassionately." Is it even remotely possible in this age of hypercharged ideologies for people to think about anything other than political machinations, much less think about it dispassionately? God help us.
Portrait by Peale
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