Well, Don, I don't know what the answer is to your question. There are plenty of things I'm not cynical about...but US politics isn't one of them.

I think, like Sawzaw, that Obama probably means well, but that he is very much hobbled by the massive special interests and the usual partisan BS that has your government crippled in Washington.

I think that Americans are misled by their old loyalties into simply cheering when their partisan "team" wins...but not understanding that both of those teams sold out long ago, and neither one of them any longer represents the public that elects them.

What can you really do when you only have those 2 parties to vote for, and neither one of them really represents you? I don't know.

The situation is quite similar in Canada, and I think it's also quite similar in the UK...only we have a more complex situation, more than 2 parties to vote for...but they've likewise sold out to special interests and don't really represent the public.

You wouldn't believe how cynical people are in this country (Canada) about their politicians now. Well, maybe you would. ;-) Everyone has noticed by now that no matter who you elect...things get worse. Jobs get scarcer. Your income gets leaner. Social services decline. And we get involved in foreign wars that aren't in our interest.

Does that sound familiar?

It makes no sense, Don, to demonize someone like Sawzaw just because you have been offended by something he has said, and have decided therefore that he must ALWAYS be on the other side of everything from you, and therefore must ALWAYS be your political enemy.

That's not thinking, it's just dealing in stereotypes. I disagree totally with some things Sawzaw has said in the past...from time to time...but I agree with other things he's said. If you read his post of 04 Apr 10 - 02:28 AM .....I agree with virtually everythign he says in it.

People have to get past this thing of instantly mentally identifying "the enemy" in their mind on some preconceived partisan notion....making false assumptions about that supposed enemy, assumptions that he believes in EVERYTHING they don't believe in...because those assumptions are probably false...and actually listen to what he says without prior prejudice.

I'm not interested in belonging to a cozy little political "gang" here who get together every day to hurl dirt at their favorite "enemies" just because it makes them feel good and satisfies some emotional need they have to vent and express hostility.

And when I see that, I object to it...usually in a sort of satirical fashion. It's lazy thinking.

I've seen only 2 politicians in your Congress who have the guts to serve the people honestly and tell the unvarnished truth about what's happening...each in his own way, according to his own honest beliefs. Those 2 are Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. Other than that, it's a wasteland of special interests and posturing.

Now...Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul don't agree about everything. Their political philosophies are quite different in some respects. But at least they're honest. And I admire them both for that.

I would not want Obama's job...I hope he manages well with it, as well as can be expected, considering the pressures he's under, and I wish him well.