Editor’s note: Our stupefying times

From the September issue: It used to be the economy, stupid.

The fate of the nation’s economic health seems to have taken a backseat in presidential politics this time around more than in any recent election.

While Bill Clinton used the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid,” about our monetary woes to great effect in the 1992 presidential race to defeat George H.W. Bush, this election cycle — featuring another Clinton — could be characterized more like, “It’s the democracy, stupid.” [more]