Good leadership is a mix of both seeking ideas and dictating from the top. The trick is knowing how to distinguish between the two. Most of the pols inside the Beltway seem to have it almost completely out of phase.

What we do about it is work on the local level and try to fix the things that we can. At this point, I’m reasonably certain that even though there still isn’t a Senate version of the bill, that before the 2010 election there will be a “health care reform” bill passed and signed by The Big 0. For the 2010 election we need to flip the House and the Senate so we can begin repairing the damage that already has been done to the country.

Of course everyone who posts here or elsewhere is at times frustrated by lack of response, positive or negative. It is not that I think my ideas are even good, but I try to point out things that have not gotten enough attention. Particularly when it comes to math, there seems to be a glazing over of the eyes. The last thing I want is for anyone to take my word on the numbers I write about. But drowning in debt is worse than drowning in phony global warming fears.

As to the Republicans, I agree with you. The GOP leadership, such as it is, is less than creative. Trying to please everybody is a bad strategy. But, hey, I’m not a politician. I couldn’t get elected to anything, nor would I want to.

On the other hand, while I might quibble with an Eric Cantor speech. I cringe each time I hear Nancy Pelosi open her mouth. She and her minions are trying to destroy our beloved America. So I can’t give up.

I just wish there was some sign that the Republican leaders listened to or cared about what we say. I believe in leadership, but there is a desperate need for new ideas. Good leaders seek out those ideas; they don’t try to dictate a party line.

Sigh…now you know I like to rant too.

If I seem insensitive to the insult the elected Rs gave in not raising those issues and not fighting a better fight, it’s because of outrage fatigue. There have been so many outrageous things done by Rs in the last 8 years that it has become par for the course.

Left or right—nobody has the patience to follow the math. Middle school arithmetic might as well be advanced calculus. I have written here and elsewhere on the easy calculations which debunk many claims by the government and its lackeys at the Congressional Budget Office. Maybe MY calculations are wrong, but I’m lucky to get a single comment. Write about a moronic reporter at a Tea Party rally, and everybody has an opinion.

if your eyes glaze over when you try to distinguish a quarterly percent from an annualized percent, then get prepared to be ruled by fascists.

Are redstaters stupid or lazy? Is there another explanation?

One small note: You should edit your post to renumber your points. At least in my browser they are all numbered 1.