Those of us posting: that we are disgusted with the way most of the Democrats have responded to the Republican attacks. Why can't these seemingly intelligent people who seem so smart and qualified see it as well? We need not stoop to their level per se, but merely respond to their mindless violence with a mindful violence, a measured violence: one measured to take them out so they do not come back at us again. It is either that or continue on this way of trying to talk with those who will not talk with you, and only use your reasonableness as an opportunity to take you out. It is unfortunate, but is there any other choice? The writer who complained that we want a violent father figure does not have it quite right: we want a father figure who will stand up for us against the bullies with intelligent force. I am so sick of the Democrats right now I absolutely am tempted to follow the other writer into not voting at all: and that is a real despair, because Bush seemed to have taught me that any non-Republican would be better for us. But if the Democrats continue to act as they do, I feel a real despair for the whole process and may just opt out (with a bow to the martial artist teacher's point.

What the heck is wrong with these Democratic party leaders????????????????????????

they are simply playing their part in the shadow play. I see those who are calling the dems cowardly, etc. are still hiding from the truth: we are ruled by one party with two heads, who put on a sham fight to give us the illusion of choice as they rule us in the name of the elite. the dems are not stupid: they are simply following the path best suited to corporate interests, just like the republicans. For a while I thought Nader might have been wrong about the Democrats, but really it was only Bush's incompetence that clouded the issue. I should have seen it when Gore did not contest the election in 2000. He said he didn't because he wanted us to have confidence in our system of government. I see now he didn't contest the election because he didn't want to rock the corporate boat. If one of the leading Democrats is elected, we will simply have a competent Bush [= coporate interest figurehead].

Pickie Beecher, that you called for in your post. The balls to vote the corporate interests they truly represent. the balls to continue to lie and put on a charade for us that there is any real difference between them and the republicans. they are brave and intelligent in their design of pacifying the masses with a shadow play of democracy while they sell us down the river. Even criminals can be brave and intelligent, as this shows us.