One of my first assignments as a reporter, in 1981, was at the press gallery of a local legislature. The standard of debate was not high. One politician asked, “When are we going to start treating government like a commercial operation?” His point was that fiscal discipline was needed. An opponent aptly retorted, “Why would we treat it like a commercial operation? Isn’t a commercial operation.”

This came to mind during another lamentably low-quality debate last week between Democratic presidential candidates. Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana — yes, he’s running — said foreigners arriving at the U.S. southern border should be treated “as one of our own.” The obvious response, after a light laugh or eye roll, is, “Why? They’re not one of our own.”