If constitution or libertarian parties had any kind of a chance during a national election cycle - ... ah how cool would that be? O well, time to wake up. In the general election about 40% of the vote is locked up for the Dem, unless they've done something criminal. To put a conservative in congress, means running that conservative in the GOP primary and beating the establishment choice. Ron Paul is good as a senator, but would make a world ending president. #1 job defend us against our enemies. It's the main thing he'd refuse to do. So this cycle, we won't be getting a truly conservative prez. We'll just have to try and pick the least worst for that job. Congress is where the real reforms are needed anyway; and, there we've a chance.

Speaking to the choir. He hasn't been able to do it alone though. Spending and debt require acts of congress. This primary season is important. If your incumbent voted for the debt ceiling increase last time, ask them what their plans are this time. If they tell you their against it, ask them point blank, how will you vote? Get a commitment on record - and share their response online. If they plan to vote for it, vote for their opponent in the primary. If they plan to vote against it, hold them to that. In the house, they're up every two years. If they run unopposed next time, but voted for the increase, find someone to run against them, or run yourself. That 1 vote should cost any GOP incumbent their seat (in primaries anyway).

How about we start with some basic logical steps: 1) no undocumented aliens on Medicaid/Medicare. 2) means test SS, nobody with 300,000 or more in assets is likely to want or need a few hundred a month - in the very least, allow/ask them to opt out. 3) stop paying dead people 4) stop creating new entitlement programs. 5) stop increasing the debt ceiling. 6) stop increasing the debt ceiling. 7...infinity) stop increasing the debt ceiling.

Most dems vote dem; because they don't pay attention to the news, politics, or anything of the sort; and, believe what little they can't help but be exposed to; as, it's foisted on the by the broadcast networks, teachers, and buddies. There is no way to totally break that cycle over night. Republican voters are more reachable. They pay more attention to news and politics. If we keep sending moderates and wimps into office, nothing will change. Congress is way more important - for most of the issues that face us - than the president. The president only has to sign the laws (and repeals of laws). The primaries have become vital. We need to vet our congressmen as closely as we vet our prez.

He and his cronies in the press are going to try.

If they cave they're useless followers - not true leaders. MB was correct to vote against the prior debt increase, which makes those guys wrong. If they do it again after what they've seen, they deserve to be not only fired, but blacklisted.

:)

There's probably not much point in trying to explain anything to Scott; but, sense the attempt's been made anyway ... Most people had a problem with the size, and scope of the TARP bailouts under Bush. Once we found out how much money was being gifted to ACORN and the like, how the funds were actually being mismanaged, we were angry. His VP DC didn't run; because, he had no chance, and would likely have lost the primary. The Tea Parties mostly formed under GWB - as a result excess spending and (to a large extent) TARP. Don't expect PBHO to get any breaks from us, just because he's a democrat. He's wasted more than Jimmy Carter, RR, Slick Billy and both Bushes combined - and his term's not even over yet.

Our debt now exceeds our GDP. The ride is over. Even if we raise the ceiling, there's no guarantee will be able to get the money. The rest of the world is broke, just like us. China has probably gotten, just about, to it's limit with us. There is no good justification for the massive amounts of spending. Attention dead people: stop voting democrat.

And maybe gold will rain down from heaven. As long as the Republican leadership in the House and Senate remain spinally challenged, it's not looking likely. That's why the primaries are soooooo important.