it's not dubya's fault.

it's not even the fault of the fools who voted for him.

it's the fault of the fools who didn't.

when you hand the keys of the nation to one person, saying "be back by 4 years from now", and he trashes the place, everybody who let him be president is responsible. and that's every voter.

you legitimized the notion that one person should have the power of a king. so george the 43rd, using powers very similar to those of george the 3rd, demonstrated that elective monarchy is no way to run a nation.

try democracy, californians can tell you how to do it.

while democracy is near, reach out for it.

establish 'citizen initiative' now, and it won't matter much if some incompetent scrabbles up to the top of the party tree, because the electorate will have control of parties and politicians.

why not? too hard? need to act like a responsible citizen? hmm, yer right, let's just complain when some orc drives the nation into the ground. altogether now: "somebody oughta! i would but i'm too busy."

yup. civil contract, kids protected, further religious ceremony for those who feel the need. hard to believe anyone would oppose this plan.

way too sensible for americans- and not just the anti-gay nutters. if your religion says gays can't marry in church, find another church, or grow up. gays who insist in participating in religious ceremonies proscribed by the religious authorities are insane, or merely self-indulgent non-believers.

let the bible clutchers have their church, start your own if you must, but put your energy into getting a civil contract.

the next one gives them back. maybe not all. the next president takes 'rights' away, the next one gives some back. then one day you have no 'right's' and the next president likes it that way, and the one after...

the problem is, 'right's' in the power of a person to take or withhold are not rights, they are privileges.

it would pay you to think about putting your privileges beyond the reach of whatever politician currently occupies the oval office. it's not hard, it just needs a few (million) people to demand democracy.

if you do it, your privileges will become rights, and your children will be citizens. if you don't, the next closet nazi to get into the whitehouse could finish the transition from department of homeland security to ministry of love.

that a state has 'citizen initiative,' and uses it. but what has recently come to light about alaskan politics, makes one wonder if russia would like to buy back...

assuming putin has better sense, independence is next best.

that's what it is. "bail-outs" is socialism, without the planning and without the social benefits.

maybe [ don't wanna offend ] works better than capitalism. it should, since there is planning involved whose motivation is a better society, not dividends and capital gains. sounds obvious, doesn't it?

this guy tried a little [ ] during the clinton administration and got suckered as soon as dubya got in. that's another thing. not only is [ ] a good thing, but democracy makes it a lot better: policy is set by the electorate and isn't changed by some hireling of big money, or would-be alexander. the poor tax cow actually has a way to get made the cars he wants. wouldn't that be cool.

when your idol has a glow. that'll last, oh, 3 months. then you'll still be a groupie, but the nation will be in the hands of politicians still. how has that worked out so far?

middle-aged groupies aren't likely to grow up, especially when there's a dollar to be made by saying 'my' guy made 'idol'. but the usa needs citizens more than it needs groupies. the politicians and easy-money sharpies are driving the country into the ground, and poisoning the planet for a pastime.

the dhs and nsa are looking more like the stasi than defenders of the nation, somehow, america needs to fight two wars and threaten a third, and the nation's automakers are crying to be nationalized(but only just the expenses, profits are sacred in a capitalist nation).

yeah, it's cool to be a groupie. saves thinking, saves having to actually do anything, and you feel like you are part of the greater north american co-prosperity sphere. ah, the glory!

that's what these letters sound like, even though no one uses the words.

capitalism and oligarchy got you where you are.

restructuring has to start with the constitution, if you don't want more of the same.

fundamental fact 1: both are politicians, and are loyal to each other above any loyalty to the nation, or supporters.

fundamental fact 2: this is a consequence of the structure of american political society. until the structure is changed, the character of the nations masters will not change. to put it in simple language: humane, generous, gentle, honorable pimps are driven off the street by the usual sort. so too with politicians.

fundamental fact 3: a politician who says 'don't look back' is attempting to scuff sand over shit that would reflect badly on his profession. "i don't hold grudges" means obama has no principle beyond seizing power. he will embrace any noisome character who might be useful.

fundamental fact 4: obama is a politician. not a saint. not a philosopher king. he is a vastly more competent man than dubya, but he is starting with an america much less powerful. even if he is beneficent, he is a just an administrator. he will not make any fundamental changes in america, and can not. real change must come from the people, who show no sign of standing up and taking their country from the pollies.

if you don't like the way america is going, if you are beginning to realize obama isn't going to fix it, perhaps you are ready to work for democracy. you can start at the 'initiative for democracy' site.