As I've watched the debacle that is the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug program, I have had to wonder whether it was the intended consequence of the people who voted for it. When I read that the Republicans thought Medicare should "wither on the vine" I become convinced that it was.

I think they have miscalculated. I live in a staunchly Republican, conservative part of the country, and I can tell you the political will exists for national health care at this time. Old people vote in vastly greater numbers than any other group, and I think the Republicans will pay dearly for this fiasco.

The only surprising thing about this is that people are still surprised by it. Politicians with so-close-you'd-be-arrested-in-public-for-indecency-close ties to business are corrupt in some fashion? I know I'm shocked. I just hope Abramoff rolls them all and I get to see Congressmen marched out of the Capitol in handcuffs. It's amazing. The public spent 8 years being SO VERY ANGRY about Clinton and then a party comes in, openly buys and sells votes, and it's "Eh..."

"The Abramoff affair is the greatest congressional scandal in American history since the Crédit Mobilier."

Wait, so are you predicting Bob Ney will shake this off and rise to the presidency?

Our government is up for sale, the NSA is listening, and no bats an eyelash.

They have us right where they want us. Your government openly despises you and makes no effort to hide it.

bush will pardon them all before we learn the truth.

The outfit Abramoff wore was a typical costume for Orthodox Jews, and had nothing to do with looking like a gangster. There was an article about this a couple weeks ago.

For tracing this story back to Newt Gingrich. I've been watching him lately, working his way slowly back into the public consciousness. Aligning himself with Senator Clinton, of all people, and speaking of healthcare and ethics and other issues he worked so diligently to torpedo his first time in power. I hope the American people have not forgotten that he is a lying hypocrite and ineffective leader, but I'm lacking faith in our judgement lately.

What are the chances that Amramoff will stay alive long enough to testify? What do people think are the chances of him "committing suicide" out of depression and regret?

Just something to think about.

I don't know why, but Gingrich reminds me of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Maybe its just his name.

I don't think Bush can do a pardon because of the 2008 race.

But he so crassly ignores everything else, maybe so.

Does anyone hear a violin and smell smoke?

Peggy

Reading all this (and other summaries of Republican misbehavior) brings me to that point of despair where I just have to assume the dream is over. And then I get angry at the Clinton administration. Weren't they playing the same game, instead of doing everything possible to expose all this chicanery? Did Mr. Clinton have to leave himself wide open by not keeping his dick in his pants for 8 years? Wouldn't Mr. Gore be president now (with perhaps a Dem-controlled Senate if not Congress) if Mr. Clinton had a little more self-control, and if Mr. Gore himself trusted his personal instincts more (as he seems to do now)? The less said about Mr. Kerry's own lack of instincts the better.

I'm not trying to blame the Dems (or Nader for that matter), but if this crap has been going on for so long, where were they? Are they so incapable of exploiting the media in their favor (the media that supposedly favors them anyway)? Even now they seem weak and disoriented.

So maybe it's easier to shrug and give up, because frankly, I have no faith that prosecution of Abramoff and Co. is going to accomplish much.

It's to late, America. It became to late when Bush stoled

the election in 2000 through the supreme court. One man

put him in his current seat and that was chief justice

Renquist. You have a dictator in the oval office whether

you like it or no he won't be leaving in January of 2009.

I doubt the 2008 election will take place and even if they

do Bush won't be leaving his seat of power. He is com-

mander in chief of all armed forces of this country and

now with Alito about to be seated; he will control all

the way from the supreme court down to cop on his beat.

It's to late, America. Your Republic was stolen while we

were all asleep. I've wept. You will weep.

firstobserver

Democrat Millionaires in the house out number Republicans 10 to 1 but it's only Republicans being naughty.