As I have stated before I am neither a Democrat or a Republican. I tend to side with whatever side I agree with on a subject or during election time I vote for the person who I believe would do the best job for the county, political affiliation aside. Therefore, this is not an attack on either party, just an observation from a member who reads the political boards pretty religiously, but rarely comments (except for lately).

Republicans seem to play the blame game. The "we did not do it we are the good old boys , blame those Democrats. Yet the Democrats seem to attack the Republicans for not taking ownership of their actions. All the while neither side is very affective, and we (EVERYONE not just the Democrats or just the Republicans) are running the country into the ground.

It seems that things would be much more productive if each would just agree to disagree and try to meet somewhere in the middle. Then maybe decisions could be made, people that they serve could be helped. Put personal agendas aside and realize that the USA needs leaders not figure heads that like to hear themselves talk.

Is that the answer... is there an answer. I honestly don't know.

"All the while neither side is very affective, and we (EVERYONE not just the Democrats or just the Republicans) are running the country into the ground."

How so?

Ask those without jobs, those coming back from the War, those without healthcare, how so.

Nothing gets accomplished at the federal level. And as you said in another Post

"The beauty of a two party system."

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Originally Posted by Tuscany

Ask those without jobs, those coming back from the War, those without healthcare, how so.

Nothing gets accomplished at the federal level. And as you said in another Post

"The beauty of a two party system."

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Relative to what other time in American history, or do you mean relative to some Ideal.

I’m nor agreeing or disagreeing, just questioning the basis for your conclusion.:)

Ideal I guess.

I might be a dreamer. I have been accused of that before.

Maybe instead of waiting on the government, or [ John Mayer's] "waiting for the world to change, " to do things for us or to fix our problems... self reliance... that old fashioned American virtue. ;)

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Originally Posted by Dark_crow

"All the while neither side is very affective, and we (EVERYONE not just the Democrats or just the Republicans) are running the country into the ground."

How so?

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Permit me to answer a question with a question: Do you think Americans are happy with the state of their country at this point in time?

Great question Karma.

Americans as a whole... I don't think so.

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Do you think Americans are happy with the state of their country at this point in time?

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Generally, no. Unfortunately, this is an egocentric group here in the U.S. caring more about gassing up their SUVs than where the oil is coming from and who/what we have to step on to get it. Most of us are in pause mode, waiting for Bush's term to run out and desultorily watching the candidates who want to replace him. Everyone wants healthcare coverage, a good job, low taxes, money in the bank, and a chicken in the pot.

I believe we are living in a time that future historians, if they survive, will write of the fall of yet another great civilization.

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Originally Posted by Tuscany

Great question Karma.

Americans as a whole...I don't think so.

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I believe it has been going downhill because of the breakdown of the family; however, there is on the up-side the growing numbers coming into America who have historically placed the family as their first priority…the Mexicans

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Permit me to answer a question with a question: Do you think Americans are happy with the state of their country at this point in time?

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I don’t believe happiness at the present time is the proper criteria for determining whether we are running the country into the ground

I would have to say that Americans are more positive, upbeat and optimistic than most of the rest of the world . I think this perception of negativity is media driven. I would also say that the candidate that taps into this optimism,that sees challenges as opportunity will win the Presidential race.

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Originally Posted by Dark_crow

I don't believe happiness at the present time is the proper criteria for determining whether we are running the country into the ground

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I honestly don't know how to answer that but I feel some apologist retort about to surface. :)

Tom: I'm going to have to completely disagree with "Americans are more positive, upbeat and optimistic than most of the rest of the world".

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I honestly don't know how to answer that but I feel some apologist retort about to surface. :)

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Something like... we are at war?:)

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I honestly don't know how to answer that but I feel some apologist retort about to surface. :)

Tom: I'm going to have to completely disagree with "Americans are more positive, upbeat and optimistic than most of the rest of the world".

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What part of ‘most’ don’t you believe?

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Originally Posted by Dark_crow

What part of ‘most’ don’t you believe?

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What part of "Do you think Americans are happy with the state of their country at this point in time?" includes the concept of americans compared to the rest of the world?

Like this?

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Renewing the French-American Alliance

"From the very beginning, the American dream meant proving to all mankind that freedom, justice, human rights and democracy were no utopia but were rather the most realistic policy there is and the most likely to improve the fate of each and every person.

America did not tell the millions of men and women who came from every country in the world and who--with their hands, their intelligence and their heart--built the greatest nation in the world: "Come, and everything will be given to you." She said: "Come, and the only limits to what you'll be able to achieve will be your own courage and your own talent." America embodies this extraordinary ability to grant each and every person a second chance."

I'm referring the OP's question, not the different tangent that Tom wanted to take.

OK I'll address the question directly . Sometimes politics in America is a contact sport but you don't see the violence associated with politics that you see in most of the world. . I guarantee that in Washington ,after they rip each other apart ,they hang out in the same bars and night spots .

Also you really do not see this big divide on Main Street USA. Communities come together many more times than you see them storming town hall... But it usually does not make the news. I stand by my contention that much of the impression of negativity is media driven .