Another Ed Markey moment

^ But with Markey's oversight of electronic voting, are we assured that our votes will be counted accurately and without bias?

P.S. That was a (kinda) joke..."kidding on the square", to use an Al Franken-ism...HE more closely represents my *admittedly liberal* views...on THOSE issues where I would actually be classified as a liberal...

...and I'm not even afraid OR ashamed to use "the L word"... :)

To qualify my earlier comment, it's not that Democrats don't have a platform or take positions, it's that they mostly aren't communicating what that position is. That's what annoys me. How do you hold anyone to anything if they don't say what they intend to do?

Jeff: I really dont think that they "aren't communicating what that position is". I've heard plenty of Democrats say what it is they want to do. Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), for example, laid out a comprehesive 'phased redeployment' for dealing with Iraq. The problem the Dems have is that they seem unable to boil thier ideas down to a catchy phrase or soundbite. Plus, they are not very good salesmen nor to they tend to stick with any one point to oversaturation like the Repubs do. "Stay the course", "Cut and run", "Flip-flop", "Terroist Surveillence Program" (and the most idiotic of all) "Fight them over there so we dont have to fight them over here" are all well crafted Repub slogans that have found root in our ADD-stricken media outlets. Similarly-styled Dem phrases like "Culture of corruption", "Domestic Eavsdropping" and "Warrantless wiretapping" have not resonated that well.

On top of that, they are in the unfortunate position of not having a "bully pulpit" to speak from. And when they do get on outlets like the cable news channels, their ideas are often dismissed out of hand as being "far left". No matter what your political slant, you have to tip your hat to the Karl Rove political approach as it has been highly successful.

And then, of course, there is the aformentioned 'primary process' where basically the party establishment tries its best to weed out anyone with some semblence of a spine who would do what s/he thinks is right even if it's against the party (see Lincoln Chafee and Joe Lieberman).
lata, jeremy
--who doesnt understand why paperless ballotting was needed when "Scantron" type voting would be just as easy (as done in DC in 2000)

Just noticed by looking at the "catch phrases" jeremy listed...

The democratic ideas also are NOT neatly packaged in words used by the average second-grader...."cut and run", that's on the educational (and some might say intellectual level) suitable for an eight-year-old.

Republicans are better at communicating to the demographic that is most susceptible to being "swing voters"...the woefully undereducated (who, by happy coincidence, will multiply in number due to the flaws of NCLB - or is that "ECLB" - EVERY child left behind).. :)

Both parties shovel enough bulls*** to fertilize the entire solar system. They need to grow up, and knock off the "we did this only because they said that first." We laugh at everyone else in the world because they hold grudges and have to keep getting back at the other side, well our political system is no better. Politicians from both parties better learn to address real issues even if they don't have popular solutions.

But since that's not going to happen anytime soon, I suggest we all just ride coasters. Line for the blue train on the left, red train on the right. I'll just be waiting for the third train.

Wasn't it the all great and powerful Democratic bastion of truth Ted kennedy who sponsored No Child Left behind?

I mean aside from commiting vehicular homicide and getting away with it he has to be credited for something.

Hold on while I study my republican talking points and I will get back with you all soon.