The more things change, the more they stay the same.

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

From the L.A. Times:Before they could spout off on the airwaves, folks debated (and spit) in the open air

As for the style of the oratory, Times columnist Lee Shippey commented in 1935 that it seems "when you know a thing, you may merely speak it, but when you are rather doubtful, you must assert it so loudly as to overwhelm all opposition."

As for substance, see Slate's: Down With the People - Blame the childish, ignorant American public—not politicians—for our political and economic crisis.