Revolving door should have a different exit point
I wish that elected representatives who were either defeated in November, or have chosen to retire had to return to their districts to live, rather than being able to walk into high-salary arrangements with lobbying groups (now to be known as the Tauzin effect), or even into high profile media arrangements as consultants for networks, news agencies, talking heads shows, etc.

Yes, it is highly likely that these people have well-developed political skills, and would be valuable assets to other organizations related to governing our country. But first they should have to live with the after-effects of their day-to-day decisions ... drive the roads and bridges, fight the pollution, see the homeless, use the health-care services available, etc.

We might get better representation, dontcha think?
- posted by Chris @ 9:37 AM

 
Goal vs Reality
Charles R Kesler says:

"Democracy requires that majorities accept and protect individual rights, observe due process of law, respect free speech and free exercise of religion, protect private property and observe the obligation of contracts."

It's tough to get this to happen in tribal societies, he adds. But I see that it's increasingly difficult to find it here at home, too, as we get more tribal.

(link is to current (Dec 04) issue of Hillsdale College Imprimis. Not sure how long it will hold)

I know, in the run-up to the holiday season, I should be looking for more joy. Bah Humbug.
- posted by Chris @ 4:05 PM

 
It WILL be about the $$$ ...
Read this American Prospect article on how the Democrats can begin to mount an effective challenge to Republicans in future elections: The Democrats’ Da Vinci Code


Here's a taste:

In the aftermath of the recent election, the stale cadre of campaign consultants who helped run the party into the ground now say the solution is for Democrats to simply invoke God more often and radically change their positions on social issues. But the point is not to impulsively lunge rightward in some cheap, unprincipled gesture to red America that would reek of political strategizing.

The point is to follow red-region Democrats who have diminished the electoral impact of traditional social issues by redefining the values debate on economic and class terms. Granted, the progressive populists profiled above do not uniformly hew to the standard liberal line on social issues: some are pro-life, some pro-choice; some pro–gun ownership, some pro–gun control; some pro–gay marriage, some anti–gay marriage; some vociferous about religion, some subdued. But they have shown that there is another path that moves past wedge issues if the party is willing to fundamentally challenge the excesses of corporate America and big money.

- posted by Chris @ 9:59 AM

 
Physical violence
I would desperately like to bitch-slap the spammers who have hijacked email addresses and even a business domain name in their damnable attempts to get a response to their porn and prescription come-ons. This is a Wild West economy ... all promise, no purpose. Just exploit the resources and move on. It does make me wish humans had better hard-wiring for principled behavior.
- posted by Chris @ 9:42 AM