Politics at Point-Blank Range [PHIL-OSOPHY]

A Gen Z and Baby Boomer are in a heated disagreement. "Dude, what was the biggest redo you saw when you went to school, colored chalk?" The boomer just doesn't feel connected to society anymore, maybe because of the new order of things.

I can identify with Mr. Boomer because I see the level of corruption and toxicity of American politics, and the direction America is going.

The shady deals and bribing have been around forever, so there's very little difference in political posturing over the decades – except for the fact that we now have just carved a brand new notch in the saddle.

Massachusetts political campaign finance regulators just gave the okay for politicians, their staff, and candidates to use campaign funds to buy bulletproof vests, gas masks, body armor, pepper spray and other protective gear for themselves.

Has it really come to this in the Commonwealth where the government of, by, and for the people was put in motion?

It was unheard of when I was younger that the Office of Campaign Finance would give the go-ahead for politicians to reach into their campaign treasury to purchase a half dozen gas masks, a case of pepper spray and super concealable body armor. I

'll be honest with you, the times certainly have changed. I can foresee some entrepreneur coming out with a brochure for politicians, featuring the latest "protect yourself today" body gear, or a businessman who decides to run for office only to get all that expensive protective gear for free.

I remember when campaign money paid for signs, direct mailing and door-knob reminders, not a bulletproof vest.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.