America's Political Dynasties

The Constitution states that "no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States," yet it seems political nobility is as American as apple pie.

America was founded in rebellion against nobility and inherited status. Yet from the start, dynastic families have been conspicuous in national politics. The Adamses. The Lodges. The Tafts. The Roosevelts. The Kennedys. And today the Bushes and the ...