Name:   Mack - Subject:   Hey, Martini>>> Date:   7/27/2010 8:16:07 PM

I agree with the answer to part #1, that politicos start their first day planning to be re-elected. Done.
Part #2 was How to Break the cycle and return reputable people as our representatives?? Right?
Your answer was for a Voter to educate himself on a candidate and policies that work or do not work, and vote accordingly. Right? And if he does not, it must be laziness, apathy, etc?? Thus, Obama.

Divorce yourself from this, because you have the education, ego, the time, and the desire to actually seek details? OK?

Gus, Girt, Suzy, Sammy come home after a 12 hour work day, sit down to sip a beer and relax. These are all registered voters. Do they go to a computer to research a candidate's voting history? Or do they click on the Evening News on TV? Do they make a note to follow up on Political Hot Item to check validity, and then do it? Election Day comes, and who do they vote for??

They vote for the candidate who spent the most $$$$ on TV ads. And, you voted for the other candidate.
Their uneducated, ignorant, uninformed, un-researched votes cancelled you out. Obama/Carter.

Still waiting for a valid idea on how to create an environment where a vote is once again a powerful tool of those who exercise the privilege and expect honesty in government.