The intellectual myopia of liberals is remarkable. It is like watching bumblebees fly.

BTW, if she did Tomb Raider they would be unwatchable. As it is they are boring, silicone notwithstanding. With Grandholm in there, it would be a prison sentance.

The problem is that they use it to forward policy that has destroyed the state. And even Stabenow can be counted on to sign on the dotted lines when the craziest of bills comes up. She is just not so bright in my estimation. Levin on the other hand does whatever is necessary to maintain the 30 plus years of seat warming through interest funded re-elections. I believe he understands the damage that he signs on to, and continues to plod forward..

Granholm? hmm.. not sure if she is evil or just plain insipid.. the jury is out in my mind. I would suspect the latter.. I also think she wishes it was HER who did the Tomb Raider series..

Levin and Stabenow do not have the respect of their peers in Washington. As a result, they have no power. They have the APPEARANCE of power but not ACTUAL power. Their votes are not courted beyond the perfunctory, routine, Democratic party courting. Their opinions are ignored, their “support” is irrelevant, their credibility is non-existent. They are like the guy at the party that everyone walks away from. They posture and pontificate but it means nothing to anyone who actually DOES have power.

This is the reason they accomplish nothing for Michigan. This is the reason Michigan, despite our economic disaster-area status, is STILL a net contributor of federal taxes. We pay more into federal tax at all levels than we receive in benefits of any type. Go figure that one out – how we can be dead last economically but not be worthy of help. The reason we do not get help is our senators are powerless.

The same is true for most of our House reps. Most of them are ignored or actively marginalized. This is what we get for voting people into office that lack the necessary intelligence, education, will, and energy. You can’t play major league ball with the B team.

Personally, I can’t stand Ted Kennedy but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind how much power he wields in the Senate. If we want Michigan to get the kind of federal money that Massachusetts receives, we need to elect a man the equal of Kennedy – and I don’t mean his equal morally, spiritually, or even as a man. I mean his equal in power, in the ability to carry and swing a very big stick and the will to bash heads with it. Kennedy is a slug…but he’s a powerful slug.

BTW, this is also the reason Grandholm is unable to be an engine of change. She has no influence, no power, no credibility, and is not respected because she appears to be silly. All she can do is interfere and waste money but the people with genuine power know her days are numbered so she is safely ignored. If she puts a call into the CEO of Ford, the call is not returned. If she calls the CEO of Dow Chemical, he is gone for the day. Nobody in a position of power needs to curry favor with Grandholm. They will go through the motions of respect, even talk a good game on TV…but the Respect is not there.

But I should ask you.. do you WANT socialism? yes or no? you seem to have a desire to paint many Republicans in some sort of hypocritical brush instead of advocating a position strongly. In other words, why simply attempt to tear down the opposition? Why not try to elevate your positions with logic and reason? what is it YOU want, and how does it help overall? It would be more productive, and maybe some common ground could be found.

In all sincerity, I doubt that YOU want hard times for the country, and I would lay odds that you probably don’t really think I want hard times for the country, so ultimately, where we diverge, is in the policy that brings about the best results correct? Or am I making a poor assumption?

and to think he voted democrat

anyway. i see the talking point now being expressed by armey, franz, etc. is that obama is trying to take away your medicare. i have to admit the audacity of the right is rather brilliant. how they go overnight from an “obama is socialist pinko who is trying to lead us down the path to socialism” to “obama is trying to take away your socialist medicare” ANd be successful with that message within their base is rhetorically and socially uttery fascinating to me.

i don’t know whether to laugh or cry, make fun of such nonsense or be frightened for our country.

As for my college expenses, glad you are concerned.. I had a little help in my first year from my parents, Used high school graduation gifts, and wound up working three jobs ultimately to make it work. I was tired, but maintained good grades, and had to extend my degree a year. I was glad to have the initial help, and appreciated my education more for the efforts made to purchase it. How about you? Curiosity compels me to ask..

My family’s resourcefulness during that time fascinates me. Even so, they were damn glad to get help. But in your binary world, that must mean they’re lazy. I can guarantee you your family gladly took the help as well. Guaranteed (the macho stories of them bettering themselves over everyone else aside). And I guarantee your family hasn’t burned social security checks. Or refused to buy subsidized food products.

And you? How did you get through college? Mom and dad? Uncle Sam? Both? What handouts did you get along the way?

I know MY family was resourceful enough to overcome it as the parts I am familiar with did so with solid traditional skills such as plumbing, building, and farming. I imagine yours was as well, but un-ringing the bell is impossible at this point so there is no way for you to unlearn the lesson of government dependence I suppose.

The public option is bad policy. We hardly need to expand government into what should be a competitive market period. The logic used for the public option is that it provides competitive forces. OK.. then allow cross state insurance with no limits by government. The use of ALA-CART insurance options would bring vitality to the market, and simply enforcing contracts (which under this Administration is a FAIL) through law would make sure no one is abused.

Ill take the anything else option.. call it what you will.

There can be no meaningful health care reform without a public option. Anything else is just window dressing and petty appeasement and won’t have any effect on long-term costs in this country.