Jeff Stahler for July 11, 2013

It would be nice if there were a third(fourth? fifth?) party to come up and slap both of these entities upside of their heads. Sadly, the only thing the Dems and Reps can agree upon is that no other parties will be allowed to be part of the debate. It creates an oligarchy divided against itself and while the pettiness grows, our infrastructure and people suffer.It is incumbent upon us, the voter, to expand the issues on which we vote so that we elect people who will act on the issues that we, “The People”, agree upon and on which, the elected will compromise and take actions. It may also be incumbent upon us to set an example of civility and respect from which the elected might draw an example.Sincerely,C.

Respectful Troll—-You are right about setting an example. The young cashier at the grocery store told me that some old man had told her yesterday morning to “kiss my butt” and that another cashier had been the recipient of several f-bombs that day. What is this world coming to?

should it be tax/ cut spending. import votes / close borders, or incentives to create job/ tax so companies leave and pay incentives to people to sit on their butts. and vote for us

I agree Mr. Varney, and additionally, am grateful to PAJ & FourCrows for adding the media to the mix. Especially, since the media could provide another option. In the past, I’ve suggested something in which our “media savvy” people might participate. In the spirit of American Idol, America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, & the Biggest Loser… I would like to suggest programs that introduce regular people to their cities, states, and ultimately, their nation. Shows with titles like -Amercan Leaders, America Has Leaders, So You Think You Can Lead, & Better Leaders.The format would introduce us to intelligent Americans who understand the issues, who can prioritize what is most urgent, and who are able to communicate that understanding and ability to prioritize to the American people on a local, state, and national level. Radio and newspapers could, if they found advertisers, give air time to people at the local levels, and as contestants advance, the media outlets would provide more access.This can also be done online.At the state and national level, potential congressmen, senators, and presidents could be presented with scenarios submitted by viewers so Americans can judge how these men and women would handle a given situation.Mr. Varney is right to doubt our news outlets. As I type this, another day of the Zimmerman trial dominates all three of the major US news channels even though other events are occurring. It might be impossible to get such petty peoples to consider a competition that could introduce us to potential leaders, but if we showed interest, it might happen. We need ideas, and we need to show a willingness to vote for people who have ideas, not just a plan to deal with on or two issues, but a willingness to address ALL of the issues. It wouldn’t get them elected, but it would give voters new faces, and minds, to consider.It’s the only idea I’ve come up with that would Throw ALL the bums out, and even if it didn’t, the way people voted for the folks on the shows would be a wake up call for many of our cannibalistic legislators. Thank you all for the positive feedback and especially for those who remind us the role our media outlets have in this mess.Sincerely,C.

At least in Canada we have 5 parties to be annoyed at…

The problem is that campaign finance laws create bribery. Yes, good old-fashioned bribery. .Bribery is illegal under the common law. Completely illegal, always has been..So our legislators try to redefine it by statues in such a way that they cannot be prosecuted for taking what amount to bribes. The courts uphold them. Why?.The answer is simple, bribery is allowed to go all the way though the system and plays a major role in selecting the members of our highest courts..The two party system, defective at best, is the most convenient system for those receiving and giving bribes. Keeps down costs for the bribers for one thing..Sad.

..the trouble is that it is assumed that there are two sides to every story.WRONG!Those that are wrong are wrong,no matter how much spin they try to throw at it.Those that mis~lead will always be wrong.But I guess FOX News is the price you have to pay for a free press!…