I really shouldn't have to say this, but one of the hallmarks of a democratic society is the consent of the governed. Public officials do what the public wants, unless there is good reason to take a different path, in which case public officials have to explain themselves and persuade the public to go along with them.

On minor issues, maybe it doesn't matter what the public thinks. But on war and peace it damned sure does. The public has been against the Iraq war for years, yet it rages on, consuming hundreds of billions of dollars, and the lives and limbs of thousands of American soldiers. Vice President Cheney knows this, but managing a war is too much fun without having to worry about the ignorant masses. He gave an interview recently in which he was asked about public opposition to the war.

CHENEY: On the security front, I think there’s a general consensus that we’ve made major progress, that the surge has worked. That’s been a major success.

RADDATZ: Two-third of Americans say it’s not worth fighting.

CHENEY: So?

RADDATZ So? You don’t care what the American people think?

CHENEY: No. I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls.

The cold text of the interview does not capture the true flavour of Cheney's response. To really take it in, click below. Check out the smirk when Cheney said, "So?" This is the response of a sociopath who has long abandoned any sense of accountability in a democratic society.