[Red Slinger]

In my opinion some of these recent posts are a good example of what's wrong with the US political system (and ours as well although it's much more amplified in the US). Many in the electorate dig in to an idealogical camp (conservative v. liberal, repub v. dem, etc.) and change the facts or at least the interpretations of the facts to suit their position based on their political leanings. They choose a political spectrum and cheer for them like many of us would do with our favorite hockey team, including homerism, blind faith and over-reactions to otherwise normal stuff. The reasonable folks in the middle of these ideological pissing matches get fed up with the rhetoric and 'principled stands' from both those in politics and their cheerleaders on television and the internet. I think many people find it difficult to seperate the facts from the propoganda and lose interest and ultimately faith in the system.

We're never going to be able to change the nature of politics (Plato wrote about it several thousand years ago and it still is applicable) however, we can change the way that we represent our political discourse.

In my opinion it doesn't really matter that the Republicans captured the House and the Democrats held onto the Senate. Nothing significant will change in Washington just as nothing significant has changed in Washington since the two-party political system was put into effect. Yes, there will be some tweeking here or there but in my opinion it's akin to adjusting the deck chairs on the Titanic (I'm not making the analogy that the US is sinking but rather that it's a futile exercise). The US political system has evolved to serve those already in power. And by those in power I'm not referring to politicians but rather the multi-national corporations that lobby and contribute funds to both parties in power. I'm also referring to the Military Industrical Complex which was mentioned earlier in this thread, I believe.

What's the answer? I have no idea. But at a minimum I think we should be cognizant of not buying in to the propoganda of either party since really they serve the same master.