(06-25-2014 06:47 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  It's not the system that makes politicians (and bureaucrats, who differ from politicians in that they have no accountability) greedy. It's greedy politicians and bureaucrats who make the system.

I basically agree with everything you say. My bottom line concern is the pols are not unique, they are a reflection of our society as a whole. Basically, I'm not all that optimistic the country, as constituted, will survive. It'll change for sure and eventually morph into something different. For better or worse? stay tuned. I hear your arguments against left leaning thinking. I'm just not convinced, given the fact of greed and the allure of power, that the right really has any solutions either.
I understand failed poilicies of Obama make criticism of the left more pronounced right now, and that is probably fair. Again, I'm just not at all convinced the right will do any better. So many people think the solutions are simple, elect a con or libert and it'll all be fixed. I have my doubts it can be fixed.
One other thought. I distinguish between beaurocrats and functionaries. Beaurocrats are in positions of influence and can create policy. Functionaries are the clerks, supervisors, etc. who do the daily work. I get annoyed with people who blythely say do away with whole departments of government without the slightest thought to the economic impact that could have on honest, hard working people.
NOTHING in life is that simple, and everything has unintended consequences.

For years, Thad Cochran has been polling better among African American voters than just about any Republican in America. Shelby County TN, (Memphis) is getting ready to re-elect a mostly-Republican county government, including Mayor, District Attorney, and Sheriff.

My point being, there's a lesson there for the national party. First of all, minorities are rather turned off by the tea party. Whether that's fair or not, I'll let you decide.

Also, truth is that the Republican Party is going to have to be more inclusive as a necessity. If the party can be a "Big Tent" again, people will crossover and vote for Republican candidates. I've seen this firsthand, apparently people are more likely to vote for someone who shows interest in and helps their community.

(06-24-2014 04:35 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  



If I were a Mississippi Republican and this idiot wins, I would vote democrat in November.

I think the better solution would be not to vote. Voting democrat is never a good solution to any problem.