I think I may have finally defined our governmental process. We have become the mob in an evolution of ancient Rome; Patricians versus plebians. It is class warfare at its bloodiest.

A century, at least, ago, men of worth (money-wise, at least) would gather in obscure places around a wooden ring to fight aggressive roosters. They called it the 'sport' of cock-fighting and bet money, property (real or human) and reputations on the ability of one trained 'fighting cock' to out-last another. Around the 'pit' as it was called, gathered men of all social and economic strata to take in the 'entertainment' of one proud bird trying to eviscerate the other. Eventually, one rooster would rule the roost and emerge 'victorious'. To what end? He would only be tossed into the pit another day for the enjoyment of his owners.

If this sounds familiar, I give you our great national fighting pit, 'the Beltway' of our Capitol City. Again, men of property, the American aristocracy (the super rich and the power brokers) select and train their 'fighting birds' to be tossed into the ring. They are fueled by the blood-lust of the media. Around the pit gather those who follow one set of talking heads over another, to cheer or jeer, often for the mere sport of the kill. One will fight the other until only one emerges; bloodied and unbowed. To what end? Why, to strut about, fluff up and crow the loudest the song of their owners and masters.

Oh, rest assured that there are training rings all about the country; places where 'fresh talent' is tested, trained and tested in ever greater pits, against ever more vicious competion until judged ready for the great pit, itself. The birds are bred, not for their individual value, but are fed to fight to the ends of their masters and trainers. There is only that outcome … no other; death before dishonor. And cast to the side, too tough even for the pot, lay the remnants of those who were, in the end, not worthy, not strong or, perhaps, simply, not ruthless enough for 'the Pit'.

And, in the end, remains the question of why did the noble birds fight? It's the bottom line, of course; profit to the owners; and the poor birds be damned.