Final answer:
The author demonstrates bias by using metaphors with negative connotations and a critical tone to depict political corruption, assuming a stance in favor of reform and against entrenched corrupt practices in government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about how the author shows a bias toward the topic in a passage that uses the phrase "drain the swamp" to symbolize expelling corruption from the government. Bias in writing can be identified by the selective presentation of facts, the exclusion of certain perspectives, or the use of charged language that indicates a subjective position. In the provided passage, depicting politicians as cats scratching each other's backs and lobbyists as pigs could be seen as deliberately choosing metaphors with negative connotations to influence the reader's perception and emphasize a critical stance against corruption and political cronyism. The revised essay title "Cesspool on the Potomac" further exemplifies this bias, as it raises the idea of political corruption being widespread and systemic.
Historical context adds layers of understanding to the use of language, as seen in speeches and reforms of past politicians like Chester Arthur, who aimed to dismantle the patronage system. Likewise, the origins of the spoils system in the Gilded Age and the Liberal Republicans' criticisms against it are historical examples that underscore an ongoing battle against governmental corruption. The phrase "drain the swamp" reflects a repeated desire throughout American history to remove corrupt elements from the government, with various degrees of success and public sentiment.
Ultimately, by using charged language and historical allusions, the passage may seek to persuade readers to view corruption as a deeply entrenched issue requiring significant reform efforts and vigilance against the concentration of power, echoing concerns similar to those expressed by the nation's Founders and later commentators like Lord Acton.