can we survive incumbency

The mid term elections are upon us. Some things to consider:

- over 2500 US soldiers have died in Iraq so far
- over 25,000 US soldiers have been maimed in Iraq
- somewhere between 50,000 and 650,000 Iraqies have been killed in Iraq
- the 2 original principal reasons for the Iraqi war are proven to be unfounded (WMD and connections to Osama)
- many questioners of the war and/or it's execution have been displaced or ridiculed(Powell, Shinseki, White(Army Chief of Staff))
- the leading proponents for the war have been promoted or awarded or are still in office(Bremmer, Wolfowitz, Tenet, Rice, Cheney, Bush)
- Afghanistan is now the largest producer and exporter of opium in the world
- the Taliban is making a comeback
- the latest terror cells found in the US and Europe have been manned by local nationals
- North Korea has nukes and the finger on the button is attached to the hand of an unstable dictator
- Iran will soon have nukes and a religious fanatic leads the effort
- Osama is still uncaptured
- 2 of the 4 world's largest religions are in a global jihad
- the "democracy" in Palestine elects Hamas
- the current reason for the Iraqi war is also proven wrong - creating a safer place for Americans
- anyone with a US passport is unsafe in over half of the world
- Lobbyist Abramhoff on a first name basis at the White House
- Congressman Foley(R) admitted child predator and not outed for over 6 years
- Congression Cunningham (R)outed for millions of $ in bribes
- Congression Ney (R) outed for Abramoff scandal
- Congressman Jefferson (D) caught with alleged bribery cache
- Congressman McKinney (D) whips up on a House security guard for doing his job
- Congress votes to build a wall along the US/Mexican border. Why not go after the reasons for Mexicans wanting to cross the border?
- 46.6 million Americans can't afford health insurance
- federal spending is at records levels with the executive and legislative branches under control of the supposedly fiscally responsible Republicans
- New Orleans has a population less than half that of pre Katrina
- the president and congress intervene in the Terry Schiavio case
- apparently the president doesn't care to follow the Geneva Convention humanitarian treatment of prisioners - shouldn't the only super power nation take the high ground on ethics and human rights issues?
- PA legislature votes for huge pay raise in the early morning hours without public debate
- Congressman English (R, PA) reneges on a term limit promise made during his first term election ................
- Senator Santorum (R, PA) cyber school bill costs his "hometown" over $60,000. Why aren't public schools ok for a US senator?
- Both English and Santorum resort to negative compaign ads and smear tactics

Can we afford the current leadership?!!

Grandpa's hand

Callused and coarse from decades of milking his herd his hand would reach back as I approaced from behind. My stretched reach would find his and they would become one. Although he had much to do his pace would slow to match mine. In later years the hand would become stiff and sore, but the bond never waned. A child's memories remain lucid even decades and a death after the walk.