The Democrats, supposedly the party of the undefended, have presided over a sorry record including expansion of questionable surveillance programs. The Republicans, supposedly the party of state rights and fiscal responsibility, have expanded the deficit and pushed for unnecessary amendments to the constitution.
Some encouraging things have happened. . .I recently wrote to Senator Coleman and Senator Klobuchar about my disappointment with the passage of the FISA bill. Klobuchar voted against it (three cheers for her!) and Coleman for it. Coleman did send a polite response acknowledging the letter - a response that actually indicated someone read it and knew it wasn't a letter supporting his vote. So one cheer for him.
Coleman argues that since the government assured the telecommunications companies it was legal, we shouldn't penalize the companies for cooperating. This argument has no traction with me. No one gets to suspend disbelief simply because the government asked them to do something.
And what's with the Obama phenomenon? He's a nice enough guy, but when it comes down to it he's just a politician. That's why he voted for FISA. That's why he chose to not use public election funds and the restrictions that came with them. I am rather amazed that Obama has managed to inspire someone enough to sell Obama t-shirts out of his trunk on University Ave.
But it's exactly this sort of passionate following that worries me - makes me think that people won't look at him objectively when it comes to election time.
It would be nice to think that only Coleman would tap your phone - but it wouldn't have happened unless enough other people were going along with it.
So here we are, stuck with less than ideal choices and unable to tell when the candidates are telling the truth and lying. It's enough to make one want to move to cabin in the woods - except I'd imagine in the upcoming political season an attack ad would even find you there.
