Kevin, it's comments like "those politicians" that seem to defy your normal intellectual approach to these things. It is such a over generalization, that it leads to the types of attitudes we see from our GUEST. I know many politicians that are driven by an ethic, a code. We may not see eye to eye on certain issues, but I know them to be honorable and trying to do the best within the system to effect positive societal change. There are dirtbags, and self serving jerks too. But the system roots them out eventually. I am concerned lately with what I see as a loss of confidence in the ability to make change. I know that we still can, if we are ready to jump back in and work with honorable intent. It still comes down to one person, one vote. When that is being abused, we need to act. I just don't see Don Quixote approaches as the way to do it. I thought Dean showed the way. I may not have liked him as a candidate to beat Bush, but that man has my greatest admiration for shaking things up, and breaking the inertia. I pray that he stays with the process and remains a force for positive, internal change. I believe he represents the best chance the Party has, if he remains a player.

Mick