Have not heard any of the candidates articulate precisely what they will do -- without intrusive government interference with personal lives and liberty -- to solve or improve major challenges facing our Country over the next generation.

*Revamping public education to cause our kids to be competitive in a global environment in the future? We continue to fall behind competitive countries, especially in math and science. Our high school diploma graduate rates continue to fall, and many who do graduate have difficulty reading their diplomas!

*Specific plans to cause American enterprise to become more competitive in a global environment? What we seem to hear are threats against businesses, yet some claim they are going to bring back jobs -- HOW???

*Providing additional health care availability without throwing the baby out with the bath water... HOW? (really do not think that dictating from Washington is the answer or the right precedent to establish.)

*Plans and policies to cause the US to become energy independent in 10 - 15 years (walking vice driving is not a solution!)?

*Revamping the US military to bring the strength of the forces back to the levels of 1990 -- prior to the cuts of the mid 90's -- with heavier reliance on robotics and artificial intelligence?

*Cleaning up the obscene waste by the Federal government -- especially earmarks by both parties?

*Fixing Social Security, MEDICARE and MEDICAID, including the hard decisions that future generations are either going to have to dig real deep, or some major modifications to the systems will have to be made?

Very hard to imagine that Saudi Arabia, China, Japan and other countries we borrow from today are going to continue to prop us up with loans if we do not subsequently clean up our own house; start managing at national level; and STOP making promises that we know cannot be kept much after being elected.

PS: Failed to ask one question for one of the leading democratic candidates: When will the issue of the intent of the XXII Amendment
be surfaced in earnest, and what protections of the intent will be imposed if that candidate wins??

You sound rather correct except for th statement "flagrant adulterer" for McCain.
That is a Christian thing and shouldn't enter into politics! Even if he is guilty.
Goodness was he worse than Kennedy, Gingrich, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, and others who were "not flagrant," but kept it hidden kind of dudes?
I am amazed that the same people who want heroes created of our young kids killed or wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and want them remembered for "no greater sacrifice," are the same people who want a true military hero abandoned. All because McCain differs on just a few cases of politics with the extreme right wing.
I admire him for that, and I forgive him for his past transgressions.

"I forgive him for his past transgressions." -- Do you think you are the Pope now?

Excerpt from the Washington Monthly: "High Infidelity"

"Until relatively recently, a self-confessed adulterer had never sought the presidency.... But it wasn't until 2000 that McCain, possibly emboldened by Clinton's survival of his scandals, became the first confessed adulterer to have the nerve to run. Now, just a few years after infidelity was considered a dealbreaker for a presidential candidate, the party that presents itself as the arbiter of virtue [What? An admission that there's no virtue in that other party?] may field an unprecedented two-timing trifecta.

"McCain was still married and living with his wife in 1979 while, according to The New York Times' Nicholas Kristof, 'aggressively courting a 25-year-old woman who was as beautiful as she was rich.' McCain divorced his wife [after a series of affairs], who had raised their three children while he was imprisoned in Vietnam [and had had been badly injured in a car wreck, which 'left her 4 inches shorter and on crutches, and she gained a good deal of weight' (she once a model)], then launched his political career with his new wife's family money [like Kerry]. In 2000, McCain managed to deflect media questioning about his first marriage with a deft admission of responsibility for its failure. It's possible that the age of the offense and McCain's charmed relationship with the press will pull him through again."

"Rewriting the Rules"

"Media Ignore John McCain's Offenses"

"Betrayal, Deceit, Corruption and John McCain"

Who "want[s] a true military hero abandoned"? How is he being "abandoned"?

Past military service is not an express ticket to the White House. Just ask Kerry.

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Voting guide
Conservatives - Vote for the liar that promises you less.
Liberals - Vote for the liar that promises you more.
Libertarians - Vote for the liar that promises to give you nothing [except pot in every home].

Am I to understand that only the Pope can forgive someone of their transgressions? Most of the Popes who ever lived were the worst transgressors! Just given authority by a bunch of catholics to tell them they are ok!

So a self confessed adulterer is worse than one who hides several? That's right, be sure and hang the honest people, but not O.J.! Newt all over again!

Is a "deft admission" better than a slow, intelligent one?

At least his first wife didn't have cancer. I don't understand your comment about the media! I have known and heard numerous times of John's problem. Heck, Washington and Jefferson had worse problems than that! Want to tear down the Monuments and shame the progeny?

Above is more of the same ole yada, yada, yada, from the left-wing fringe.

In any event, many Republicans appear to be deserting their party in droves (local example: Wulfman is now an "independent" ) .

Me too, me too, me too.... just like the Wulfman and Richard. Although it'll be a cold day in hell before I pull the lever for Hillary or her muslim born nemesis. Not to mention, the Republican Jeffords like left-wing fringe candidate that will undoubtedly jump ship if he loses the nomination. At least some of us stand for honorable and noble causes.

As for the Republican party? You can have 'em Sniffles. Indeed you are winning converts every day. Or should I say sell-outs.

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In regards to Democrats, Republicans, gangs, and other scads of coterie Kool-Aide drinkers; Remember this..... Eagles Don't Flock

Girlfriend? I thought she was shackin' up with some hunky liberal guy?

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GROUNDHOG DAY - ORIGINALLY PAGAN CELEBRATION

Well, she clearly does not like McCain and backs Romney.

Here's what I think she's up to. She has the ears of a lot of conservatives. As has been reported in the news recently, only one person is likely to unite republicans, and that is Hillary.

So, at this crucial juncture, she comes on and says, "Hillary is far better than McCain!" She's not in the least bit serious about supporting Hillary. It's a ploy to get votes for Romney.

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Grandkids: #2, #3 and #6

are those your grandkids? Healthy cheeks on that baby - makes you just want to pinch them!

I hope the Mrs recovers soon, now that she's out of surgery.

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GROUNDHOG DAY - ORIGINALLY PAGAN CELEBRATION

Thanks.

These are siblings (the Asheville clan) and they are, respectively, numbers 2, 3 and 6.

We were told this morning that we are going home at noon. At this point, this will require a Time Machine.

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Grandkids: #2, #3 and #6

I hope that when they finally release Mrs. Muddle that you remembered to bring her a coat. little chilly outside.