……..And since the civil war two generals of significance. both Republicans, have been president (One of those forgettable presidents in the late 19th century was too but I can’t remember which one). Grant who was a disaster and Eisenhower was fairly effective. At one point MacArthur was the general of Republican dreams but once they got close to him they realized he would have been a disaster too……..There’s a reason for this although I can understand it might be beyond the reasoning powers of some to understand why.

…….As for “we’re all doomed” I prefer :

Sail on oh ship of state,
Sail on oh union strong and great.
Humanity with all it’s fears,
With all its hopes of future years,
hangs breathless, on thy fate.

Hu

What’s “amazing” is that We, The American People, allow such a system to remain in control of our destiny.

Necromancer… this isn’t a “flaw” in the system… this IS the system!

Necromancer… Rangel IS the authority! Frank IS the authority! Dodd IS the authority!

Necromancer… do you remember when outgoing President Clinton literally SOLD pardons…? I mean, literally… he SOLD them. He sold them to benefit his “presidential museum.” He sold them to benefit his wife’s Senate campaign. The President of the United States SOLD presidential pardons.

The government of New York State is dysfunctional. Same with California. We have kleptocracies in New Jersey and Illinois. Necromancer… this IS the system…!!!

(*SLOW EXHALE*)

Re: Balconesfault // Jul 11, 2009 at 6:56 pm –

(*SMIRK*)

OK, Balc, I’ll “raise” you. Two words: Drop dead.

(*SNORT*)

Now… are you gonna stick with “Popgun” and fail to mount any intelligent response or are you gonna make the case that I’m wrong… that all is well with American democracy… that the best, brightest and most honest amongst us are diligently serving the national interest in Washington… Albany… Sacramento… Springfield… Trenton…

My GOD… wake up people! I’m not quoting afternoon soap opera storylines or old episodes of the Sopranos… I’m pointing the the current reality of government as it actually exists.

(*SIGH*)

Re: Sinz54 // Jul 12, 2009 at 10:12 am –

“I cannot deny that I find the notion of a General Petraeus or General Schwartzkopf running this country, much more appealing than the notion of a Barack Obama running it. Heck, I’d even take T. Boone Pickens over Obama.”

FINALLY! Some frigg’n honesty! Some reasonable response!

(And of all the regulars who haven’t responded and who won’t respond, I’m guessing you’re not alone, Sinz.)

“So, if they’re interested, let them run for office.”

Sinz. That’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen any more than there’s actually gonna BE a military coup that “rescues” the country from the clutches of the corrupt. (And that’s what we’re talking… that’s where Frum started from with this thread – the CORRUPT.)

So… since it’s not gonna happen… what? We just turn on, tune out, and wait for the inevitable?

Sinz. Face it. We’re a nation of 300 million plus people. Of that what percentage has the education and the interest to take part in the “civic” process of our “civil” society?

Sinz. Neither you nor I nor anyone can wave a magic wand and suddenly transform the American People into wise, educated, involved, selfless participants in the political process. So, what happens? What happens is we get the Rangels and the Franks and the Dodds and the dealmakers (not making “deals” because compromise is part of the process, but making deals for personal gain) and so on and so forth.

Sinz. The PROCESS itself is the problem. Don’t believe me…? Heck, George Washington understood where the future would lead us the moment “factions” arose.

But, heck, Sinz… back then… back in the 18th century, the 19th century, the early 20th century… government – particularly the federal government – had vastly limited powers compared to today.

Sinz. In reality we already HAVE a form of “dictatorship.” You and I may differ on financial specifics such as the various “stimulus” packages. But neither one of us have wanted our government to bankrupt the nation, to wage war on the dollar, to rack up unfunded future liabilities like one keeps extra canned goods in the cupboard. Yet… that’s what government – under BOTH Republicans and Democrats – has done.

Hey… you don’t support the idea of a military coup. I don’t blame you. You don’t think we’re at that point. Fine. But I’m telling you… this nation requires something more than speeches about the wonders of democratic government. Our democracy is failing us. You may say “so be it” and resolve to go down with the ship. I would rather at least discuss ways of saving us all.

BILL

……You Republican authoritarians love the man on the white horse don’t you…..Well I suppose that figures since you want us to be more like Singapore……And somehow I think you’re going to be disappointed in the “disgusted with liberalism” department……If there’s a universal healthcare system and much wider availability of Pell grants (just to take two examples from the liberal agenda) they’re going to be itching to overturn them are they……And they’re going to choose Pence or Bunning (this was a killer) over say Hillary Clinton who will probably be a candidate in 2016.

So, if they’re interested, let them run for office. We’ve done pretty well with our Constitution, as it is, for 230 years. Let’s continue to pick our leaders according to the machinery set forth in that document.

My personal hope is that after 4 (or especially years of Obama, the public is going to be so disgusted with liberalism run amok that in 2016, they will vote for President someone who is even further to the right than Reagan. Someone like Shadegg or Flake or Pence or Bunning.

Sounds just like the novel or movie “Seven Days in May”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33x-vZZxwGI

I believe you.

Rarely do I get to deliver an insult with those three simple words. But here, I feel it’s a complete indictment of your entire value system.

……..More letters from Bellevue…….Clearly they’re running out of meds or straight jackets

Just (*helpingtomake*) you (*barker13*) a (*better*) writer.

(*g’) day

Not really. Perhaps I just have a fine tuned ability to focus. And perhaps you don’t.

Anyway, whatever point you THINK you’re making… all I know is that in three posts you haven’t addressed one point raised either by Frum or by myself.

(Or… would you happen to BE Frum…???)

(*SNORT*)

Anyway, “Raygun,” (*SNICKER*), if you come up with something worthy of response I’ll respond. Till then…

(*WALKING AWAY*)

BILL