Just for the record

[kraft-t]

When you take your government back, what will you do? So far you 're campaigning on the communist nazis that are bringing your country to ruin.

Real iniatives that you are going to change. Not rhetoric or hyperbole but real change. I think if you tell the pubklic your landslide may vaporize. Be advised that some of us will remember your wild expectations.

[Kraftedbydemocrats]

You admit communist nazis are running this country? Wow, that is real change. There is hope for you yet.

[KNAPPer]

From what I can tell, there are few if any real initiatives even being discussed, just the same rhetoric as expressed by (please all bow your heads now and cross your hearts before I write the name) Ronald Reagan; lower taxes, less government, less regulation and more personal freedoms. As to what those might include in the real world, mum is the word from what we can only imagine is the Republican leadership. It's all fine and dandy to have those things as ideals (and I would even be for many of them), but as long as they stay ideals and do not translate into legislation or real initiatives, it is only lip service to a philosophy designed to garner votes.

This is a real problem for the GOP and most of them see nothing wrong with sticking to an ideological line rather then substantive ticket. Most of the "Conservatives" who are so boisterous here shutter at the thought of even being called Republicans (not all of you though). Last time one ran for President, they scurried away from his flanks like rats after Limbaugh pronounced McCain not to be a conservative. McCain garnered minimum support because he was not right enough.

Who is going to step into those shoes and be called the same? So far, no one. If then on the other hand, a real right-wing government-cracking conservative steps up to the plate, will the GOP be behind him or her? The next best thing to a leader that is being touted right now is Glen Beck and what does he really have to offer? And no one seems worried that a radio and TV entertainer with a new-found Christian swagger is their loudest voice right now.

The GOP is going to pick up some seats in November (maybe even here in Arkansas), but I wonder what that will mean? Will a leader and a philosophy based on real plans emerge from that? It seems unlikely that any of them would turn around and run for President, but you never know. I personally don't mind the thought of a more balanced Congress. They have seemed to do little to nothing when there is a majority on either side. At least when there has been a true mix in the past, things got done that benefited the Nation.

I only want one thing and no one in Congress or the Presidency and even State Government is going to do a thing in that direction. I want public-financed campaigns. It will save us all billions and billions of dollars in tax funded projects, contracts, and government spending. Only then will public officials owe us and not some corporation, union or lobbyist.

That's my rant for the day from this BACKER.

[kraft-t]

Just for the record, you had nothing informative to add to the discussion.

[johnaa]

 Knapper.   Public financed elections?  So, do you believe Libertarian, Constitutional, etc. candidates would get equal amount of campaign funds????

[KNAPPer]

Initially, yes they would be treated equal, but the primary system would wind up limiting the field by election time. There should be a way to design a fair and balanced system. I am not talking about "giving out" money for candidates to spend as they wish on TV ads, websites, etc. Besides, these type elections would cost far, far less than what the candidates collect and shell out right now. I envision public forums broadcast on television and radio and probably some minimal money for literature. Of course candidates would be free to go door to door all they want and beat the streets as well as appear as guest speakers wherever they choose. Remember the debates? The debates allowed for a lot of candidates running, but there were rules on who could get in and who could not (I would need to look deeper into how these were organized). Just some ideas.

Are you worried it would cost you something? You would save tons of money on "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" spending.

[johnaa]

    No, I am giving some reasons the scum would reject the concept.  The elite in the parties pretty much control the purse strings and the show they will not give up that power.   They are both corrupt and like any criminal enterprise will kill to prevent anyone moving into their turf.   You talk about the millions spent, the media business' will not want to see that income disappear.   The problem is the lack of HONOR of elected officials.  

  I would prefer harsh penalties and strong prosecution,  I am not joking when I say capital punishment should be employed, what is happening is TREASON, pure and simple.  At the present the members of Congress do the policing and prosecution, haa haa, you gotta laugh at that, Ethics Committee is a joke.

  The real thing that is missing is a free press and informed and qualified voters.  How you get qualified voters in this dumbed down population is a gordian knot.   This is not an age of enlightenment, just look at the stupid squawking and bleating by the members of the flocks about rep vs dem, libs vs conserv., they do not even understand the meaning of those words.  

  I'm tired and my fields are not in the condition I want for drilling, so kindly over look the defeatist attitude; I don't have a dog to kick or wife to beat. 

[Samnospam]

I've posted some of the things I would do on many occasions, it seldom draws much response.

Honestly, complete and total gridlock in DC is probably the best I can hope for.

[Samnospam]

Public Financing was killed by a fickle lover.

[BA Deere]

A lot will depend on our margin of wins. If we don`t capture the Senate and barely win the House there will be lower expectations than if we get some sort of voter "mandate" with landslide wins. Assuming a small win, I think it will be playing the hand we`re dealt in increasing food safety regulations while halting business killing regs like "cap and trade". This mid-term election is mostly about stopping the hemorrhage and stabilizing the patient, to hold things together til the 2012 Presidential election. I am heartened by new crop Republicans, they understand the seriousness of the current mess. In Alaska, Palin endorsed Senate candidate won over Murkowski, who brought back $5 for each $1 Alaska sent to Washington. People are starting to wake up!