Think about it, two political parties, both split between personalities and some fine and some broader differences in ideology within their respective camps. Passions are high, with anger over-flowing from all sides. But tonight, Florida is going to go to the polls and, if not settle things, move our great democratic process forward. Not a shot will be fired, there are no protests in sight. And if the other guy or gal wins, you don't have to vote for the SOB next November. The beauty of civil democracy is truly a sight to behold.
Most are expecting a long night on the Republican side. But even that isn't certain. Stay tuned. It's better to have ugly elections, than bloody ones. Even if this one is getting close.
SO much for lacking a decent thought. That sir was a great one. For all our faults and the work we still need to do, It's a pretty good system.
Posted by: WAHOO WILLIE SEZ: | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 04:51 PM
....and yet, year after year, the size and scope of the federal government continues to grow wildly. ever-more gov't employees; ever-more gov't regulations - the federal register has HOW many thousands of pages now?!? - ; aaaaaand, most importantly, the federal budget rockets upward at a rapid pace. far outstripping inflation; far outstripping demand/desire of the taxpayers.
no matter who's in office; no matter who controls congress; no matter what limbaugh says. the monster grows & grows and *never* gets smaller. reagan was going to shutter the department(s) of energy and education. didn't happen. clinton lied that "the era of big government is over". it wasn't. bush the "republican" expanded the gov't budget faster than anyone since lbj. 80% of the people in this country want a fence on the mexican border. the politicians *said* they would build a fence, but there will be no fence.
it has finally become inarguable that the political class is going to do *what they want to*, and the voters be damned. some choice. is there *really* a clear, easily discernible difference between the political philosophy of clinton/obama and romney/mccain? i sure don't see it.
but perhaps i'm wrong.
Posted by: nom de guerre | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 04:55 PM
"perhaps i'm wrong"
Nope. Watching the SOTU last night, I found myself thinking, why are we spending all this money? What the hell are all these programs for? Pell grants for kids? Yes, I want inner city kids to have choice. What I want is a free market that allows people to afford them, not a damned government that continues to tax us and tells us what we need.
Posted by: Dan Riehl | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 05:00 PM
"perhaps i'm wrong"
SO the question is: How/when do we work for *real* change? I want them out of my pocket and I want them off my property. Fix my damned pot holes,teach my kids to read/write, keep the mongrel hordes off the walls and otherwise leave me alone! GW got spending money like a drunken sailor and ruined "repub fiscal policy" way into the future. Clinton via Cohen and Bush via Rummey fixed the military where we could barely hold out if those hordes attack the wall and we bicker about whether some dude had some sarin canisters or not. I like Obamarama's "change" talk but will withold anything further until he puts voice to his "changes".
Still gentlemen. I have been to other people's countries and I have actually seen the wonderful, workers paradise of commies. I'll take what I have because I can at least "feel" that I can be an agent of change. I only WISH I could wave a purple ink stained finger in the air in November.
Posted by: WAHOO WILLIE SEZ: | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Makes me wonder if Ron Paul's ideas weren't so whacky after all.
Posted by: seekeronos | Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM