This is a TEASE...

What is wrong withe the government? We have liars on the right, and liars on the left. They either do nothing or do exactly what we dont want them to do. We have a Congress and a President that is neither for the people or of the people. They serve only to serve themselves, until election time that is. No wonder Congress is even less popular than Bush!

I do not see things so black and white. There really is a host of complex, inter-related trends taking place.

Some have to do with what you refer to; the perception of the general public, which, if not handled carefully, can result in a "backlash" effect, resulting in more harm than good. That, unfortunately is how our system operates. It simply cannot be ignored or spited. Public opinion is shifting, but it is not yet clear in most peoples minds, that this funding is not something that keeps the troops safe. We can curse the "spin", but in the end, it is up to us to counter it with truth and reason, so as to provide some "cover" for those who would dearly love to cut it off.

Another important factor is Iraq itself. I personally don't think the blatant signal just sent, that the time for getting real compromise and serious cooperation among those who actually wish to avoid full scale chaos is short; will have the level of impact which would permit a "phased" withdrawal to proceed without sending the place off the deep end. BUT, I will not allow myself the "god-like" status this Administration has flattered itself with, and simply assume I see the one and only true scope of what a vast population can or cannot manage to do. Until quite recently, there was an open-ended situation, which encouraged continued maneuvering and power grabbing by virtually all factions. There is the possibility that my take on what will happen in this new climate of ticking clocks will surprise us. I have been wrong a few times.

And also, there is not a passive opponent to this course of action. There are cards the Admin can play which could easily result in new confrontations and quagmires. The military itself is a player in this dance, and it is quite possible that the many signs of dissatisfaction with this whole "operation", extends deep into the brass in a profound way. These people speak to each other, and members of Congress. Negotiating about how to climb out of this pit may very well have shifted from one branch to another, and the military may have good reasons for asking for some time to prepare for this rather large change.

Patience may be called for. Not silence, not satisfaction. But perhaps some patience. Many things are in flux, and it's a deep hole.

ty,

Your "team" has done this. I understand how anxious you might be to stir up discontent about all "them politicians", but unless you've got another country waiting to take you in, it might be wise to quit with the "it's hopeless" routine. It's been just a few months, and throwing your hands up in disgust is a bit obviously an attempt to spread the blame for this mess. Some honest and constructive dialog from the "conservative" end of the pool would sure be a welcome change at this point. It ain't a game ya know.

I love the US. But I am disgusted to see so much potential wasted! This country used to be governed pretty well. But now, we get nothing done. Whenever a solution is proposed, both sides attack it or it is vetoed. Thats why we will never get any, concrete solution for Social Security, Iraq, Medicare, or Immigration. Pathetic. The Reps did not do a great job. I mostly voted Dem because I thought they would actually do something, but so far, they have done crap! The Reps still control everything, and the only thing the Dems cant do anything. Its pathetic, and we all know it. We lack unity, and until we overcome that problem, we wont get very far with anything any time soon. I am willing to wait for a few more months. I hope I dont have to wait until 2008.

ty,

This stuff takes TIME. This is what we have to work with, a very messy and cumbersome process driven system. Four plus months is really not sufficient time to be passing judgement on this Congress.

Of course they're politicians. Of course we are a thick population. These are the givens. In light of that reality, things are not moving all that slowly. The ship is turning, but it's a REALLY big boat with a lot of momentum. It was designed that way all along. Sometimes that can be quite frustrating, BUT, it is we the people who's job it is to fill that time with intelligent discussion as best we can, so it doesn't fall apart, or become something wholly under the control of the "elite", because we can't cope with the process.

They aren't really our leaders, they're our servants. It's the public sentiment WE can each influence (in our minuscule little way), which they will respond to. If the public makes it's mind up, the politicians will vote accordingly. That's actually a good thing. We don't really want politicians running the ship, do we?

PS ty,

Thanks for not going off on me. That first comment to you came off a bit more harshly than what I really meant to say. Good patience. ; )

" I hope I dont have to wait until 2008. "

You may have to. A two thirds vote of both houses of congress is needed to override a presidential veto. The dems don't have it. They have enough votes to inhibit GWB's agenda but they do not have the votes to assert their own.

Ty, Starting a war with no concrete solution is going to affect us more than any one decision made in the last 40 years. We have completed fuc%ed up the middle east more than it already was. We have massive trade deficits, and massive money sending deficits...that is folks who work here, who send money home to other countries...40 billion a year, and tack on 300+billion a year, and growing massively every year in trade deficits...it does not take a politician, or rocket scientist to realize our country is going down, and fast! We have massive job loss in our country, and shrinking wages...it is only a matter of time before we become a third world country at the rate we are sliding..Don't listen to the good economy news you hear, that is only good for Wall Street, not the average person in America. And unemployment rates are only based on those who collect unemployment, not the millions who no longer qualify for it. We are in for a massive increase in crime...etc..as more folks get pushed into poverty in our country, and yet we still have open borders letting in uneducated folks who can only do the most basic jobs here....what are our leaders thinking?

Its ok John! I can wait. I am just very frustrated with how our government has functioned in the last few years. Sorry If I came off a bit whiney. Just a little frustrated here...

WM,

A harsh reality indeed. But them boys see that train coming too.

They are listening very closely right now, and they're listening to us.

If the Repubs can't shake the current popular conception of them being a "rubber stamp" party soon, they may as well retire the name, and start up something new. Strangely, that could actually work for action on long term problems. They sure as hell don't want to add "obstructionists" to their handle.

I've already let mine know. Unbelievable, huh?

Glad to see you back.

Politicians speak with forked tongues. The best we can do is hope and wait. The Democrats will pull us through, better than we've had, believe me. but it won't be swift or pretty.