THUS SPAKE KERRY: Last year I subscribed to the Kerry campaign's email updates, which continue to arrive in my in-box because John Kerry still wants to be president. I want to win the $100 million lottery, so I completely understand the appeal of big dreams. I guess the main difference between John Kerry and me is this: He thinks he stands a reasonable chance of someday living in the White House, whereas in order for me to seriously think I might win the lottery, I would probably need to start, oh, buying lottery tickets. But I digress. I started this post not to talk about Kerry per se, but instead to let you know he really doesn't like the John Roberts nomination, because it shows that

"this White House remains bent on opening old wounds and dividing America."

I find myself thinking, as I often do when I encounter that line of reasoning: What exactly is wrong with political choices that "divide America"? The Framers, in their remarkable genius, took pains to build in "division" into the very structure of our government. Surely Kerry has heard about the separation of powers — and the federalist doctrine of national, state, and local government. Believing in limited government, the Framers clearly looked with favor on the idea that the executive and legislative branches might tend to cancel each other out, now and then. The word "veto" comes to mind. It would be nice if that word would come to President Bush's mind, next time he finds himself looking at a Medicare drug program. Memo to the GOP: There have got to be better ways of winning senior votes than saddling their grandchildren with the cost of another big-dollar entitlement program. And what's a little polarization among friends? Madison took that view that competition among "particularized interests" would support American liberty rather than threaten it. Specifically concerning religion, Madison was convinced that "multiplicity of sects" was our best bet for religious liberty. The common good would thrive with the clash of interests. In short, Madison celebrated "diversity." Real diversity, not John Kerry diversity that works to gather people of different ethnic and racial backgrounds who all share a common left-liberal mindset. Madison didn't flich at the idea of people showing up at the public square with very different opinions, views, commitments, worldviews, and so forth. Which is pretty amazing, for a dead white male who spent most of his life in the state of Virginia, and never heard of windsurfing. So buck up, John Kerry. Bring your concerns about John Roberts to the Senate floor, and debate the man's record and his view of the proper role of the judiciary. Above all, quit whining. You're rich and your teeth are very bright. Count your blessings.