Government is all about pandering to special interests. Be they defense contractors or the "middle class." Its unfortunate that only The Constitution has legal force because The Declaration of Independence is a vastly superior statement of national intent -- and ethics. But then, had the Declaration force of law slavery would clearly have been anathema.

Take the "Buy American" initiative. How is that different from "no-bid" contracts? Both are government initiatives to predetermine procurement with no regard to due process, equal protection, or cost (forgive my ignoring the "Constitution stops at the Border" nonsense. Our government's sole source of authority and legitimacy is The Constitution. If the Constitution stops at the border, so does government authority. So even foreigners are entitled to Constitutional protections in dealing with government.)

The progressive goals outlined I agree with whole heartedly. But if they couldn't be achieved maintaining "Declaration of Independence" principles they wouldn't be laudable.

The middle class doesn't need government's finger on the scale, it needs government's finger OFF the scale. --

Employer's use part-time workers to reduce costs because government exempts part-timers from "fair employment" regulations. Equal work deserves equal pay -- and protection.

Employer's routinely contract for 40-hour work weeks -- then demand 50-60 hours of service. Companies' contractual employment rights are readily enforceable in court -- employees' aren't.

I could go on forever. The middle class declined because government is solidly behind business, with the full force of the law, while denying workers "equal protection." Capitalism, like communism, is great in theory -- As long as everyone is honest, acts with integrity and there's a level playing field...

We don't need a different ideology. We need government to stop instilling ideology. We need "a hand up, not a hand out." We need a Declaration of Independence...

Government is the problem.

I am not quite there yet, but I am getting their..

I have made it clear in all my years of blogging that, when it comes to corruption, bias and hypocrisy, Democrats and Republicans are simply two sides of the same pathetic coin.

This one overriding fact has been driven home time and time again of late, with Democrats firmly in control of our government..

From decrying Bush's "signing statements" and then fully embracing them once in power to hopes of failure of US Presidents by opposing political parties, I can't see how ANYONE, ANYWHERE for ANY reason can claim that, in ANY way whatsoever, Democrats are better than Republicans..

It would be REALLY nice to see a populist movement take hold and meet the needs of the majority of Americans.. But barring some cataclysmic event, a'la Tom Clancy's DEBT OF HONOR, I just don't see how that can happen.

Michale.....

...Stan