The two sides of democracy

I WAS in a taxi the other evening. It was raining and it was rush hour. It was an excruciatingly long ride, which left me plenty of time for profound conversation. 

Now, when in a taxi, one must always talk current affairs. The hair stylist knows all the tittle-tattle, the bartender is blessed with an amazing insight into your soul, and that friendly cabbie? that friendly cabbie has his finger on the political pulse.