You know, reading what's been happening on this thread is enlightening, because when people forget which party they belong to and start instead to worry about the 'state' of their country and its democracy, the tone of the argument changes to one of folks with a common problem. THAT is one good starting place to reform what Twain referred to as a "benevolent old asylum for the helpless". I think--speaking as one who respects the American people with the fervidity he employs to disrespect the government elected by that people--that if enough of you tend to the task of cleaning the crap out of Washington, you may yet have a country of which to be proud.