Little Hawk, I have it on good authority that Obama's personal values tend to be progressive. But—he has made the egregious error of trying to be a conciliator in a climate in which the Right-Wing wants to tear him and anything he proposes to shreds. I also think there is an undertone in many of those who hate Obama so much of considering him not quite the right hue, although they know better than to say as much (and I suspect that holds for a few people right here on Mudcat, unfortunately).

Unless he takes a few vitamins and gets a swift kick in the ass by Michele, frankly, I don't have much hope for him.

Ron Paul? Honest he may be (in terms of not taking money out of blind men's cups), but think Ayn Rand! He isn't saying it any more, except behind his had to certain people, but he is a great admirer of her and her philosophical and political system. I am VERY familiar with her beliefs. And I compare what she said with what HE says!

And Little Hawk, apparently you, too, missed the many times that I have said that I DO NOT FAVOR A TWO PARTY SYSTEM! I have long been arguing for multiple parties (if parties at all!) and preferential or instant run-off voting. A number of countries use it and it works one helluva lot better than ours does.

No, I am not an apologist for the current system. In fact, I don't think the United States can pull out of this without going through something very much like the Great Depression all over again.

Now, if you guys will just stop insisting on telling me—and others here—what you're so certain that I think (despite what I keep saying to the contrary) and cavalierly misrepresenting my views. . . .

Why do you and GfS insist on doing that, anyway?

Don Firth