This is a political thread (Surprise!) but I hope it will allow for discussion rather than pointless confrontation. I think the "Bushwacked Threads" have gone over the deep end and don't want to play there anymore. I do think, however, that the dialogue should continue.

After watching the new president speak last night, I couldn't help feel very sad. What he presented, if taken at face value, was reasonable. There were, naturally, a few areas of disagreement over priorities,but based strictly on what was said I would be willing to give the man's program a chance.

BUT (and it's a big but, indeed), it's impossible to take what is said in the political arena at face value. You are always aware of hidden agendas at work and code words being used.

The democrats came back with their predictable counter-arguments and I ended up thoroughly disgusted. It's the same old tired politics, regardless of who sits in the big chair and who gets the last word. They do nothing but trade platitudes, panaceas, and polemics. . .

I would like to pose some related questions: Who do you trust in the public office right now? Is there any way to re-establish the trust of the people in its elected representatives, especially those of the opposing political philosphy? What can we use as the basis for re-establishing truly cooperative governance?