KFC, while I agree with the premise of your article... I just can't see it happening. People love a winner and despise a loser, that's just the nature of it. I'd be happy if they just voted non-performers out. We really need term limits... two is plenty. Politics should not be a pathway to personal wealth and influence, unfortunately the kids are in charge of the candy store and are unlikely to "reform" themselves. 

Not Congress, but there has been a precipitous decline in Obama/Bidden bumper stickers in my area. Maybe not a show of responsibility for character, but perhaps buyers remorse?

It depends on what your definition of a winner is.  I bet my definition of a winner would be totally different than another's.  Dan Quayle was deemed a loser after he dared make a remark against a popular sitcom...a remark that I happened to agree with. 

People want people who are like them.  Like follows like.  It's a gang mentality.  James Garfield was right.  If we are corrupt, reckless and ignorant what kind of people will we elect to represent us?  Who do you want to be part of your gang? 

We don't want the Quayles and the Reagans anymore.  It's not about integrity and honor.    We want whoever will help us further our agendas.  That's why the Washington elite are falling like flies.  They are corrupt and dishonest.  They didn't just happen to get corrupt after they were elected.  They are just proving who they really are in the first place.  We saw the red flags but voted them in anyway.   

It just comes down to how corrupt and dishonest do you like them?  It seems to be it's ok as long as they keep it under wraps.  But even in some cases we turn our faces away and rationalize when they get caught with their masks off (or pants)... Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton are two prime examples.   

If we don't start cleaning up our own minds and hearts first, who are we to complain?   

KFC, I should have qualified my statement better... the perception of being a winner. That image can be squandered, as is the case with this Congressional majority and the current administration. They had everything, then went on to ignore the will of the people. The only majority that concerns them is their own.

George! You are Channeling George S. Patton!

I agree with Garfield on this one.

It seems that up until the 60's, the three spheres of authority ....the Government, the Church and the Family, though separate institutions, were in harmony with one another working toward the greater common good.

However, since the early 60's, that is not so anymore. Public education is a prime example. Instead of aiming for the stars, America's morality and therefore culture has been heading towards the  sewers.

Then, government, family and church worked together to construct the best possible syatem of education that when parents sent their kids off to school, they knew would instill and reinforce the same values as they had. Thenn educators respected, not challenged, ignored or usurped parental authority and rights. Then, discipline was taught and practiced. Then, teachers taught patriotism, civic classes, morals and character along with reading, writing and arithmatic. Then, we went to school dressed modestly and started the day with a prayer. Then, we respected our teachers and were civil and descent to one another. Then, the primary function of education was teaching of facts and subject matter. Public schools were not human resource centers. Sadly, tragically, that is not the case today.

IMO, this is part if not the main reason why we elect who we do. It goes along with what you write in post #4.

Christianity's morals and principles are slowly being taken out of our institutions as well as the public square.

Yesterday, I heard that the YMCA is dropping the MCA.  

Maybe, but I haven't slapped anyone yet.

Not physically - but metaphorically?

yes, and to their own detriment. 

It looks like for the first time in eons a Republican Governor is going to materialize in Maine in November.  That's unbelievable.  On top of that, he came out of nowhere. It's been such a liberal blue state for so long.  That on top of firmly trouncing the last Gay Rights vote go round.   Too bad Snowe and Collins weren't up for vote this time around.  They're safe for at least another two years. 

Yeah what is it with Maine? You'd think they would be for less government intrusion up there. With exception to the larger cities, it's kind of a "do for yourself" kinda place. I suppose it is the liberals moving in to escape the "utopias" they created in most of the rest of New England.

The way I see it, this Gov't has been corrupt for a long time but because we lacked the resources to see what actually happened behind closed doors or in private, we never really knew what was happening till it had already happened. But all this changed thank to the Internet and, ironically, cellphones. The ability to spread the word so easily and fast thru the Internet be it thru emails or websites allowed the Media to throw every story they could get their hands on at the population of the country is seconds anywhere they had access to the Internet. No longer did people have to wait till they got home to watch the 5 o'clock news to get their daily fill. With the introduction of texting and smart phones, this ability to move information to the masses instantly became even more powerful as people were getting their fills every second of the day.

Add in that the stories were no longer just fed to us by the journalist, reporters and big news medias who reported based on what they thought we wanted to hear. The Internet allowed for a new wave of reporters and journalist who were simple local people who felt the need to give their 2 cents about current events launching a surge of websites and blogs from not only average people who want to express their feeling about these current events but also from people who had connection to the real story behind the headlines and either chose to bring out the truth or chose to give it their own bias in the process but in the end the story was told.

As the cherry on top, with cell phones having the ability to record audio and video, and having sites like youtube.com be created, everything became game and these days even a fart doesn't go unnoticed.Not to forget that the Internet gave people the ability to research public documents that would otherwise be difficult or almost impossible to get or see, all in a matter fo minutes from the comfort of your home, office or fun place.

The game has changed when it comes to politics and the people reporting on it and these days you either say what you mean or be prepared to have your entire life put on display for the whole world to see. The Internet and recent gadget developments have pretty much giving the American people more than just the right to bare arms.

I know.  Exactly.  Mainers have always been a tough bunch.  Do it yourself sort of people.  Don't rely on anyone but yourself.  So it doesn't seem to make sense to me either.  But you're right Portland is just filled with the liberals who came from places like Massachusetts looking for a better life for their children.  It's the scattered small Maine towns that have the true natives but they are outnumbered by Portland and the surrounding cities of Greater Portland. 

I know in the summertime especially around where I lived the smaller towns swelled to more than double their sizes by the liberals coming in taking over all the waterfront property for their summer homes. 

So after years of this infiltration it was a huge upset last fall when the gay rights bill was firmly trounced.  It was totally a David against Goliath story and no one is more suprised than the liberals holding their empty money bags after all the money they put out trying to enact their liberal agenda. 

I just read an article in the Ptld paper this past week written by a liberal who is totally shocked at what's happening in Maine.  The whole Governor race is shaping up to be quite a showdown and it will echo all the way to Washington if this state turns red!!!