Until I started cycling two years ago I was a strong conservative supporting all the normal conservative stuff. SOMEHOW, being "in the wind," enjoying the environment and meeting some incredible people of all walks of life I've been transformed.

Rather than posting a dissertation of all my loosened views, I'll just say I'm more relaxed, tolerant, enjoying of all people and OPEN to new ideas.

The experience has dissolved my previous desire to vote for a party. I now vote for issues.

This really is a major shift for me. I've spent 15 years lobbying local/state/federal politicians and have come to one unfaded conclusion...nearly all politicians seek office to change the world to benefit constituents. Nearly all of them morph into power/attention hungry red-nosed drunks by the end of their first term.

If we had term limits for even a very liberal SIXTEEN years (eight would be better) government would be significantly more efficient and less self-interest laden.

Until I started cycling two years ago I was a strong conservative supporting all the normal conservative stuff. SOMEHOW, being "in the wind," enjoying the environment and meeting some incredible people of all walks of life I've been transformed.

Rather than posting a dissertation of all my loosened views, I'll just say I'm more relaxed, tolerant, enjoying of all people and OPEN to new ideas.

The experience has dissolved my previous desire to vote for a party. I now vote for issues.

This really is a major shift for me. I've spent 15 years lobbying local/state/federal politicians and have come to one unfaded conclusion...nearly all politicians seek office to change the world to benefit constituents. Nearly all of them morph into power/attention hungry red-nosed drunks by the end of their first term.

If we had term limits for even a very liberal SIXTEEN years (eight would be better) government would be significantly more efficient and less self-interest laden.

I think the real problem is that it isn't the politicians running the country, but the PACs and Special interests--throw those bums out and we'd be better off.

+ 1,2,3,4,5

I think the real problem is that it isn't the politicians running the country, but the PACs and Special interests--throw those bums out and we'd be better off.

Too much money required to run for office IMHO.

This means politicians (ie President) are indebted to the interests who supported them.

It is really bad for democracy.

Too much money required to run for office IMHO.

This means politicians (ie President) are indebted to the interests who supported them.

It is really bad for democracy.

Perhaps.

A greater problem is the general populace's almost utter lack of understanding what is going on in the world outside of American Idol, Entertainment tonite, and what sales are going on at the mall.

ouch..

of course money in elections can be fixed by fed funded campaigns... this is the practice in some other countries... McCain-Feingold package went some way, but a lot more obviously needs to be done.

Term limits may only limit the damage on particular elected official can cause. If they had term limits they would seek to gain the most out of their office for themselves in less time.

I don't know the answer, but how many liftimers or say more than a decade of services people are there in the House and Senate?

Perhaps.

A greater problem is the general populace's almost utter lack of understanding what is going on in the world outside of American Idol, Entertainment tonite, and what sales are going on at the mall.

Well that's a given, and one that is one to the main reasons that the candidates that have the money to advertize get voted into office.

Well that's a given, and one that is one to the main reasons that the candidates that have the money to advertize get voted into office.

Dems focus on issues Reps on personality

Dems focus on issues Reps on personality

I suppose that is why their positions and issues were so clearly defined in the last two elections.

Dems focus on issues Reps on personality

Yeah, Dems focus on issues like skin color and gender when choosing a nominee.

AP headline courtesy of breitbart

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8U5KD5O0&show_article=1

Dems focus on issues Reps on personality
That's because Dems have personality and Reps have issues.