“The world is weary of statesmen whom democracy has degraded into politicians.”

Maybe so, but we keep on electing them. This group, one of which will be president, is 3 political hacks of the worst sort. Ain't it fun always voting for the lesser of the evils.

Amen. Sooo... what are we going to do about it??

Very funny and clever, the sort of attitude that had me self label myself (I guess the first coined and coined by) philotician.

No one that has any self respect would put himself through what would be done to him by the press if ran for president as a true statesman.

Are not statesmen those who know how to nuance a discussion and get every one into agreement? To be elected President of the US one must do exactly that. Several quotes here seem to show Disraeli to be disparageing of democracy. What can you expect from a twice Prime Minister in a monocracy? In another place however he does stress the need for government to be of, by and for the people.

Waffler, the foundations of your ad hominem that "What can you expect from a twice Prime Minister in a monocracy?" are off base. Remember, the founders of your own Constitution hated and rejected Democracy. So, before you go rejecting philosophy because of the messenger, remember that your own founders hated the same philosophy and system of government.

"Are not statesmen those who know how to nuance a discussion and get every one into agreement?" No, Waffler, absolutely not -- you are talking about politicians! A statesman IMHO is someone who acts in the best interests of the People and their rights within the limitations of the law. A politician acts in his own self-interest (as per the Latin root of the word), thus Disraeli is spot on.

Welcome to Amerika where the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land runs a facade administration of a democratic socialism = degrading politicians along the way.

I am weary of the fact that our republic has degraded into a democracy. Today's Americans don't even know what a republic is.

Durham Ellis got it! ;-)