Politics is never about the populace, it is about the people who pull the strings.  From the inception of organized civilization, politicians have always shmoozed vothers with empty promises only to gain votes.  However, in this presidential election, I can't imagine anyone of those three candidates have the ability to be worse than GWB.  It has to be all uphill from now.

I hope you can open the link below:  It best describes politics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBrDzZCOQtI&feature=email

I am amazed at the notion that the President has such a positive or negative effect on the economy. Short of proposing an agenda, he really has a lot less influence than congress. Since congress is the one that approves a budget, spends your money and approves spending and cuts in spending. Without a line item veto, all a President has is a Bully Pulpit to spill the beans on the wasteful spending congress has been doing for the last 16 years.  Unfortunately it is a widespread belief that the President gets the credit in good times and the discredit in down times. The main job of the executive branch of our government is the management of defense and the protection of the citizens of this republic. Now one could argue that because of the war we are in the mess we are in, however it is minor chump change when you compare it to the entitlements and their cost in comparison.  It is these programs that have created the ten trillion dollar debt and unless a real leader is elected, to call congress to task, we will see no end. There are some tough questions that should be asked and some big changes that need to be made. They are not going to be solved by taking more money from the wealthy or taxing corporations since that only slows the economy.

John, you can blame GWB all you want but without looking to congress and their arrogance and wasteful spending you miss the mark by a mile. If is hard to name one thing this congress has done that has been progressive. They have not attacked any of the tough issues, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or boarder enforcement.

As for the three candidates, one only has to look at the dangers in the world today and ask, who you want to get that 3am call. I know who I want and I am also sure who I don’t want getting it.  I also know I prefer a war over there than buildings being taken down here.

The electorate, this year more than any other need to really look at their candidate and ask what is best for this country. I sure hope they choose some good running mates because I am worried!

Right on Gary.  We have to look at the core and what congress has done.  I'm sure there is a good story out there about how favors are won and done and when it all started.  Writing blank checks for all this spending has gotten out of control.  While DC is trying to figure out the financial/credit mess.... they are still spending like crazy on other things.  The red tape has gotten so bad that it is beyond ones imagination.  

This whole financial mess can't be juggled right - because something more is thrown into the pot.  The people that we put in locally to Washington - don't have the experience but have the clout.  And the experience that they do have isn't for what it should be used for!  

I agree that the electorate, needs to really look at their candidates and ask what is best for this country.  

As far as who is responsible for this whole thing - we are.  We the people!  Gary you may disagree but there are some that brum out there that don't even vote!  It's about time that we attempt to make our congressmen, senators and reps accountable to us.  I would love to have a guest panel of the men that signed the Declaration of Independence address what they see now for the United States and where they thought we would be or did they anticipate these United States to be in such a bad situation?  Okay, maybe a few of the earlier presidents as well ......  put these men on television and broadcast it to the entire country - let them express themselves ...... would we be proud or sad?    You tell me.

Sorry, about the burst of "energy" but I just came back from a broker's open house where one of the Alderman from the City allows things to happen, especially for his family members and they built a garage 2" onto the neighbors lot!  This wouldn't be allowed if it weren't family and the City would have made these people pull the garage back 2 or 3' from the lot line instead of encroaching.  

Gary,  Congress was controlled by the Republicans from '94-'06.

John,  I agree with you about Little Bush.(GWB)

The biggest problem I see is the War in Iraq(deception), and it's consequences, concerning security, oil inflation, and the demise of the American standing in the world.

The Dollar is a benchmark of the worlds confidence in us.  It is at a 70 year low(1934).

When "HOOVER" leaves office maybe "FDR", (whoever that may be Democrat or Republican?) can strike up a "New Deal" for the American People.  Otherwise I am afraid some of you guys might be in for a "Dust Bowl" again!

Nate, you don't look that old. "New Deal" I don't think even FDR anticipated Social Security being what it has turned into today.  More government is not the solution. (I had to check the map, but American Falls doesn't seem all that far to the left side of the state.)

Our run away government, as Barb says, comes from We The People.  Interest Groups all wanting more and more. A Congressman needs support to get re-elected, so he must show his constituents that he brought home their share of the "Federal Pie" to the folks back home.  When he does, he gets re-elected.  When he doesn't, we throw him out. What is wrong with this picture?? Very difficult to get re-elected with the slogan, “I did less!”

Even if we get it right and a state electorate decides that their representative has gone too far (usually by supporting spending in other states, or ethics), when we throw them out, we find the “New Freshman Congressman”, has no influence or power even if he was inclined to try to control spending. The ones who do have power, just keep spending for their constituents.  So my question to Barb is, “How do we hold them accountable?” Keep them there, but “Water board” them if they don’t keep a lid on it?

Gary is exactly right! Leadership is what is needed.  A strong, accretive President can go a long way toward improvement.  Unfortunately, the two candidates that had demonstrated that ability to lead, and solve problems, (one from New York and one for Mass.) are no longer in the race. Instead we have 3 “Senators” (huh...what problems?)

Aside from Presidential leadership, the only way I see to fix this self perpetuating juggernaut is Grass Roots movements to get Congress to change its power structure to allow new blood and new ideas to effect some change. (I can dream can’t I?)

Great Question: Team DiMuria

"Who is going to win the Pres election...and does it matter ?"

Humm 30 years ago we new.

We the people people voted for change, what has changed ? with either party ? nothing, and gas was cheaper then  and we almost went into the poor house back then.

The difference Today is, we in the poor house... and flat broke .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fqCS7Y_kME

So I can not answer who is going to win, I do know that someday we the people will win.

I just have to wonder.

These three canidates are all Senators, Why not bring your ideas to the Senate for passage NOW?

The answer is because they can't get them passed.

So, the real election is for the Senate and House. Why isn't that being reported, yet. I'm sure the media will get to it sooner or later.

Rumor is floating around that Condi Rice for VP. Let's see if that has any support.

Maybe, Jeese Ventura will run, too.

Whoever, you vote for its your choice ....... just go Vote.

Why not talk about the popular vote and get rid of the electoral college?

What ever happened to TERM LIMITS? The politicans have been talking about that for 20 years but can't seem to get it passed.

The Fox is in charge of the Hen House.

I could really go wild with this topic, but I will refrain from doing so. I do like what Dan had to say, "These three canidates are all Senators, Why not bring your ideas to the Senate for passage NOW?" Great question!

Dan,

My point exactly! The WILL to cut their own throats is heavily outwieghed by the WILL to secure their own power. Term Limits: OK there is the place to start. State by state Initiative Proposals to limit terms for both the House and Senate, started by the people.

The reason that never gets traction is because it only limits the reps from that state. Meaning that state has less clout in Congress. This needs to be a national referendum. That would force some change, and cause a new set of problems, do to lack of exerience, but the frequent change in policy makers would force a new look at things.  Barb, this might help with accountability.

I think the results of the presidential outcome, and the after effects of influence, are largely in the hands of the media.  If they like that candidate, they are more optimistic and positive about the future.  If not, it's all doom and gloom.   Look at what their spin has done to our industry!  

But I also agree on putting these candidates to the test now in the Senate!  And also to term limits.

Dan, Troy, Bill, Lori, I could not agree with you more. I agree that we have to dream the rest of the country will some day realize that we are in control and take action to make it happen. Hopefully in my life time.

As a fundamentalist, I believe that the founders had a good document that was well thought out and signed. The changes to that document have been few and they have made it better. If we just followed the lead of a wise and trusted source we would see a better world. We have some of the best minds in the world and a lot of talent. We only need to get out of the dream that government is something that should control it. It only monitors, we the people control it. When we resume that fundamental role, we will see the right type of change. It will take education. It will take schools to start teaching how the world economy works, and what has been successful and what has failed. When people understand those fundamentals, we will see change because free societies and free enterprise has no equal. Socialism in any senses has failed world wide and is a flawed system that handicaps societies.

When government does, people don't. When government manages, people do. Less is better. Government can coordinate but it can't not run anything better that free enterprise can. All we have to do is look at anything that the government has touched to understand that that system was not designed for that purpose. It is like sticking a square peg in a round hole. It won't work.

There are solutions for every problem we have and none of those have to be more government. Quick solutions and vote getting solutions may involve government but at what cost?

So, as others have said, less government, less taxes, and positive solutions are the answer. Make sure your candidate answers the questions on how will you solve this problem.

Gary, you are so right!

I have to disagree about one of the changes to the Constitution as making it better.  The 17th Amendment, 1913, I think.  The US Senate was never supposed to be populated by the beauty contest we have now.  Each state would have 2 Senators and, Constitutionally, they were supposed to be appointed by State Government (Legislature) to represent the interests of the elected State Government at the Federal Level.

Talk about accountability. If they got caugt up in the power brokering and spending, they could be recalled and replaced, by the State Legislature.  This was also a dramatic power shift toward a stronger Central Government that hobbled state government.  To me, this is where the problems with controlling the Federal Government began, or at least took a dramatic turn for the worse.

Imagine the affect if we could change this one thing back the way the founder had intended. There is another Grass Roots cause worth undertaking.

Troy,

I am not that old, and I don't think we need more government at all.  In fact I think the whole system has gotten out of hand.  We as citizens can't even make our own decisions, because of the legislation.

Idaho is an extremely conservative state, but we have the same problem with over regulation.  

So I don't think that it is a "Left" or "Right" issue, but rather a "Control" issue.  Everyone wants to control us, rather than themselves.

My disdain for Bush, stems from his want to control our day to day lives and then to over charge us for it.  $3.1 Trillion dollars to be exact, this year alone.  In the disguise of being conservative.

We the people ought to be disgusted with our government and ourselves, for allowing such a thing to happen.  Could we have been asleep at the wheel?  I think so!

By the way, I thought Social Security was to keep people out of the Poor House?  Not to Retire on.?

I am glad everyone is talking about these things today, whatever your views might be.  I just hope we get them straightened out, so no one in this great country has to experience such a calamity again.

Nate you mention 3.1 trillion could you amplify that so I might understand what it represents.

You see, Bush does not have spending authority and if you are claiming he did this, than it must have been approved by the congress. The war has cost us 500 Billion but that is far short of the 3.1 trillion you address.

Perhaps your anger is misdirected or perhaps I don't understand the numbers you project, Help me understand your point!

Nate,

My wife is from Idaho Falls, and I lived there for 8 years. I considered that side of the state to be the "right" side and the Boise area to be the "left".  Pretty evident why. Utah is very conservative too, with the very notable socialist regime in the middle of the state we call Salt Lake City.

The "New Deal" was more government, much more. A whole new level of taxation that has grown to monsterous perportions today.

OK Nate, and this gets us back to the thread topic.  Who will win the Presidency, and will it matter. Even better, who should win the Presidency, out of the three potential winners and why would that matter. It is obvious you lay where we are today at the feet of Pres. Bush.  Therefore, you must believe that a future solution will be a Presidential replacement. Who?

It has been fun reading this thread.  Everybody is making good points, but no one will change anyone else's opinions.  I also believe that the only thing Senators have ever run is their mouths.  We needed someone who had actually been responsible for an large government entity, but the voters are enarmoured by charm and special interests.  No matter who wins, we all lose.  

And...Tony is right.  Congress is killing us, too.  But, no one wants their Congressman to lose seniority so most incumbents will be returned.  We do not need term limits as much as we need to Congress to have only 90 days in session each year.