One of the first things anyone learns in politics is that gratitude is not a virtue.
That's sure a sick philosophy. It doesn't matter in what arena gratitude is expressed, it is an energetic vibration that goes a long long way toward making this world a better place to live inside. It also makes one's personal life filled with goodness when one is grateful for their blessings.
This crop of old politicians need to head out to pasture. I think their ideals and personal practices are not in sync with the modern times. Neither are they in sync with creating a viable planet to live on.