" A lot more positive than the meanness, the cramped mindedness of most Republicans today, it seems to me. They have lost their way, have forgotten what their message ought to be (I think), and can only say NO." quote pachyderm

Ok, shortandcute, I see why you are angry. But, it isn't "way off the mark", as "some" republicans "are" somewhat cramped. But the problem is the space, the devide because there is so much far left and far right. And let's be honest, some of the republicans have made some "stupid statements" and unfortunately it got blamed on the whole party which was wrong.

When I watched the way our election process went, including the debates, I didn't see adults, I didn't see something I think our children should learn from. We are "not" showing our youth how to behave well you know, we just are "not". We are "promoting" bullying and guess what, we still are.

Our politicians, from both parties go down to Washington, the new boom town and guess what, many of their family members are "lobbyists", it is becoming a family business down there in our state capital. Yeah business is booming in Washington, but even there is a quiet corner of "poverty" where people are living, even children are living the way "no one should have to live", go figure.

Oh and how about this one, "As long as these politicians do their job their private life shouldn't matter". I remember hearing that line with the Wheiner issue that came up.
Oh yeah, it is ok for Clinton to cheat on his wife with a young intern in the oval office and lie to Americans, and still have a strong respected voice in politics. Who did Clinton admire as a role model, ummmm wasn't it Kennedy?

What is private life? Often it has "children" that have to deal with whatever it is.

When are we really going to "mind the store" in society? I am not seeing any "real" improvements there and it isn't like we don't know how children are affected by the kind of parents and home life they have. Where we need "real education" is not even thought about or at least discussed in our leadership. I have yet to hear it and I know we all pay for "not paying attention to it".

There is nothing wrong with "having a vision" for America, but, there has to be a way it can actually "work". If someone has a vision that is "their own vision" then it can be dangerous because they are going from their own "capacities" and may not be seeing the things that are "missing and problematic" that can prevent that vision from taking place. This has happened with "both" party ideals.

The infrastructure that I see as "important" is missed by both parties and unless something is done about the "human family infrastructure" I see continuing problems no matter what the "vision is".

When both parties discussed the trajedy of Newtown, there was some reference to "mental illness" but, it was clear that there is a nievety about the "cause" of some of the mental illness we are addressing in our society. If close to 50% of the population is "on the entiltlement list" why?

In my honest opinion we need to look at "where children are" in our society now. How many people are having children and have "too many" and cannot truely "afford them", who is raising our children?, how many children are having children and why?, How many drug addicted women are having children, and why are these women "drug addicted to begin with, who parented them? Why is marijuana legal in some states and how many of these people that use it are also "parents"?

I lived in yuppie neighborhood (a nice new middle class neighborhood and college grads) where the parents like to party, drink, smoke pot, get drunk and the whole time their children were home in bed alone in the homes. I was not "with this crowd", I didn't want to associate with these kind of parents, and guess what, glad I didn't because their children all became "drug users too" and I didn't want my daughter around that crap. Yes, they were "popular kids too" in school.

The relationship forum is the busiest forum next to the depression forum here at PC, hmmmmm, wonder why.

The citizens that call themselves "repulican conservatives" are not big business mogels or wealthy CEO's.
They are people that do believe in education, the right to build a business and have freedom and not have to be responsible for all the other people that "abuse the system". And the state of Texas where your niece wants to go and try to thrive in her "entrepenureship" is a Republican state. What went wrong with California? Why is it that people can no longer thrive there? I live in a very "blue" state and over 50% are moving out because they can no longer afford to live here.

There was talk about building a brand new High School in my town and taxes were going to go up so we could do that. My child went to that high school, I didn't get the new school, so why should I and others pay for it? And why have it if the families that live in my town can bearly afford what they have, what is going to happen, parents work more hours and kids don't have parents around to help them, and I already know what happens, so how is a new school going to change the quality of the children? IDK.

I am not "Obama bashing here either" I find fault with all our politicians tbh.