Politicians playing politics? Well, yes

I always find it fascinating when someone accuses politicians of playing politics.

Webster’s first reference for the word politics describes it as a.) the art or science of government; b.) the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy; and c.) the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.

Given those definitions, accusing politicians of playing politics is like accusing a football player of, well, playing football. It’s like trying to make a baseball player feel guilty for getting a base hit when part of his job is to — get this...