"If You're Gonna Play In Texas.....

Ya gotta have a fiddle in the band."

Local Reflector adds.........

Don't get distracted by the election year "heat-generating" issues dominating Capitol Hill.I've not read that Social Security Reform will return, but, honestly, that's a legitimate issue to discuss without demogogery. I don't think the issue can survive without demagogery, the Republicans want to make it a class struggle, young vs. old, etc.
The public's perception is different than what the mission of Social Security outlines. The program's supposed to set a floor in living standards in old age, NOT as a investment tool. Actually, the public fully understands that it is a retirement check. I paid a lot of money into the plan, I want something back. Yes, it's a lousy investment, but it should be safe. If I want more money then I have to do something else.

I see so many prime opportunities for Democrats to gain ground politically, but they cannot drop a growing socialistic lean which doesn't resonate in America. Disagree and agree. The Dems have blown opportunity after opportunity to gain ground, but refuse to take the stand to offer alternatives. They are all "Republican Lite." Witness the turmoil over the Leiberman election campaign. What will resonate in America is the same rhetoric that Bush used in 2000. Bring Integrity to the White House.

If Dems would embrace a new income tax scheme and honestly embrace looking at American retirement, they could make in-roads.Top that with true border security proposals, separating it from the immigrant issue, and they can a further foothold. It's hard to get a line on immigration since the President is pulling a "flip-flop" on guest workers and hard line border security. But have you considered the magnitude of deporting 12 Million illegal immigrants?

But, RD, I don't think you'd see much difference should Congress switch parties. I totally agree!!!!!!I think we could substitute the gay marriage amendment with a gay rights platform and endure posturing over the minimum wage. It will be interesting to see how the Dems force the Republicans hand on voting their own pay raise. $5.15 an hour is criminal.

Boy oh boy, I hear lots of fiddling and the Other Guy say, "No, I don't fiddle. I play the violin." "That lead guitar is hot but not for a Louisiana man."

The "real" issues.

• Strategy for withdrawal from Iraq. "Stay the Course" is a slogan, not a strategy.
• Balance the Budget, without decimating education, medicare, medicaid, and assistance for Veterans
• An immigration policy that includes some credit for time already here and stiff prison sentences for companies that hire illegal immigrants.
• Affordable Healthcare
• An Energy Policy that considers alternative fuels and higher standards for fuel consumption in new automobiles and trucks.
• Limiting the power of the Executive Branch of government with a review of the War Powers provision.
• A public works plan (not pork) that upgrades the infrastructure (Roads, dams, bridges)
• Protection of all worker pension plans.
• A public (local, state, Federal) transportation system.
• A voting rights act that insures all can vote and all votes can be counted accurately (electronically or manually) but verification is the key.

Just a few issues that are on my mind, I'm sure there are more.

Hope you had a great Fouth. Try the Malbec, any Malbec, just so that it's from Argentina. The Chilean was not as good.