>Great men, it's said, speak truth to power; Obama speaks power to truth.<

Pure genius, Burt.

And you're quite right about those lackwit "independents" who make a fetish out of being uninformed, undecided and unremarkable. I have relatives who hold strong opinions on a wide range of topics -- yet their opinions are chock full of falsehoods, propaganda and pathetic delusions. They attempt to chide me for opposing the Islamization of America, as they insist "Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance." My god, how much blinder could anyone be?

They continue to insist the present state of the economy was caused by the failures of the free market, when in fact any child could see it was government meddling in the market that caused the crash.

One of those relatives -- a blue-collar worker who votes the straight Democratic ticket in every election, and who still isn't sure just exactly where Jimmy Carter went wrong -- visited us a couple of years ago and saw an Ann Coulter book on our bookshelves. He was appalled. "You read HER?"

"Of course I do. Don't you?"

"Oh no. I wouldn't read her stuff. She's too angry for my taste."

"If you've never read her books, how do you know she's angry?"

"Well, I saw a thing on CNN and they said she was angry and hostile."

So he had never read anything by Coulter, but was sure she's angry because some Lefty with a desperate self-interest at stake TOLD him she's angry. And he just unquestioningly swallowed the lie.

These are the imbeciles who would decide the fate of our great nation.

I still occasionally run into folks who stupidly admit they voted for Obama. I always ask them why they had done so. They never have a sound reason. It is usually because of his color, or he sounded really eloquent, or some other inane reason. As to his color, I always point out that black African presidents, as a general rule, have a poor record of government administration, to say the least. Most are mean despots. Barack Obama is a despot, and now I am totally convinced that he is stupid because he has virtually failed to get re-elected, despite all the advantages he had. As to so called independents, most have no political philosophy, and their "independence" allows them to sit on the fence, learn nothing about party philosophy, and vote according to baseless "feelings". They are the loose cannons on the deck of the American ship. Liberals, even worse, are famous for sticking their fingers in their ears and saying loudly, "I can't hear you!", when you are trying to educate them. I do not waste my time. The Bible advises against it at Proverbs 23:9.

Although I am extremely confident that Obama will be ousted in 2012, I hate having to rely on the so-called Independent voter. They're the politically uninformed who pay so little attention that, in spite of one dreadful fiasco after another --

That is the scary part. Most of these so-called Independents are too uninformed to be allowed to vote. In my political discussions, I am labeled the crazy, meanspirited one. I try to ask how much will be enough taken from you: taxes and freedoms. They get a blank look. Taxes, freedoms, what are you talking about is the response??? If you try to engage on a higher level of more govt./more taxes vs. less govt./less taxes, the response is what the hell are you talking about??? It is scary.

If only the pollsters would go to only legal immigrants from the former Eastern bloc nations to get their opinions. then the opinion numbers of favorability would really tell the truth about how Obama is doing. I have a Russian/Jewish friend who tells me everyday about the similarities of the former USSR and how it looks like America is going. I only hope that the rot inside America can be pushed back before it is too late. I try to expose the Liberal bias in the news top friends and their eyes just glaze over. It will be a sad day when I get to tell them , " I told you so, but it's too late now." Where is that Austrian painter now with his book of conquest????????????????

Bo I had idea!You called those that can't make a choice indepentents.What they really need be called is.MugWomps! They sit on the fence with their "mug" hanging over one side and their "womp" hanging over the other.I think that's a pretty good an-al-o-gy of the so called independents.I call-um as I see-um. Semper Paratus.

Dear Readers: So far, I see, we are all on the same page. If only there were many millions more of us, folks like Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Waxman, Rangel, Lee and Frank, would have to go scurrying back to the rocks under whence they came.

Burt

What really gets me is the blatant lack of understanding/cognitive skills from liberals when you try to give them facts and figures. I just love hearing these "Mug-Whomps" drool on about the Bush tax cuts being responsible for our huge debt and deficit (they seem to get these two confused). And Obama clamors on about taxes being the lowest ever - Can anyone tell me which top tax rate is higher - 35% under Bush or 28% under Reagan? You know, that same Reagan whose tax cuts brought us the largest economic boom and recession recovery we've ever seen? And then they love to cling to their beloved Clinton and his "surplus" - yeah, from riding in on the tail of Reagan's economic boom and then hacking the he&^%$ out of our military budget down to nil. I know I'm speaking to the choir, but why do so many of these idiots believe everything that comes out of Ed Schultz' mouth or Lawrence O'Donnell's mouth? Or Ceynk or Rachel the squealer or yada-yada ad-naseum... It makes me sick.

Stevo: "...but why do so many of these idiots believe...?" You do realize that you answered your own question, don't you?

Burt

Try this Burt---We know nothing about Barry. No one has come foward from any college he claims to have attended. No old girl friends, nobody who would have graduated with him, nobody that knew him, even the valvictorian(?) that was a class ahead of him has denied knowing him. We know all about Sarah Palen, damn near her bra size, and everything she did as governor, but nothing about Barry, from three colleges he claims to have attended. What was your question about peoples voting habits and paying attention? Hell we don't even know for sure what his name is, or where he was born. I think the liberals put a plant in there who could talk and brain wash the idiots in this country. Up until now its been working good for them, but I think they are about to learn a lesson. I first learned about a possible conspiracy back in 2007, and I think they were right. I have followed this guy for four years and the documentation on him and I beleive the people got scammed. Lets hope he does the XIV amendment thing and see what kind of back-bone the congress really has. If none, then it dosen't matter how we vote.

Maybe there should be another classification of political affiliation. Burt knows how I feel about being lumped together with those groups anointed by similar standing (seniors, men, white, independents, etal). I am a registered INDEPENDENT. I do so, not because I am politically naive, uneducated or unenlightened. I got the designation because I refuse to align myself with either one of our two political parties, both of whom anger me from time to time. Granted the Dems/Progressives have a huge lead in this department, but, neither inspire me to follow them blindly. I think that there are many independent voters who fall under this category.

I have a wish that the Tea Party would grow into a viable, mainstream political party. They represent, most closely, my thoughts on governance. Then I might have an organization to affiliate with, and get something other than an (I) listed behind my name. For the time being, when asked of my voter registration preference, I simply say that I am a CONSERVATIVE. I await the day that I can have (TP) listed behind my name........

PS, I'd like to assure everyone on this board that I would vote for Daffy Duck as president before I'd help, in anyway, reelect Obummer!

JohnH: I, too, would like to see true conservatives win every election. But that will never happen. Here in California, I'm wondering if such a person will ever win any election. But in the meantime, I see no advantage in registering as an Independant because there is no way on earth that someone who would prefer to be registered to the Tea Party would ever vote for a Democrat. I believe that the days when people could say with a straight face that they vote for the man, not the party, are long past. Voting for a blue dog Democrat is no different from voting for Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Waxman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Barney Frank.

Burt

JohnH- Some states have closed primaries, in which you can vote only if you are a registered member of the party that has candidates vying for the same office. As a registered independent, you have way less opportunity because you cannot affect who gets picked from either Dems or Republicans to face off in the general election. As a registered Republican I cannot vote for the weakest Democrat to help tip the balance. As an independent, you cannot tip either balance, and as you know, there are often no independent candidates in either primaries or the general election. Merely registering Republican or Democrat does not mean that I subscribe to the shenigans, cowardice, etc., but it does allow me to vote in primaries.

Bo: Excellent point. I hope John heeds your advice.

Burt

Bo (and Burt):

This is EXACTLY why I returned to the Republican party, after registering independent in a snit over the insane amount of badgering I got as a Republican: mail, phone calls, funding requests...but now I can again vote in primaries, which makes up for the bovine excrement.

Burt, Bo, PSU, etal,

Advice well taken. I shall consider the idea of registering Republican, and holding my nose when explaining my party affiliation, in order to "make up for the bovine excrement" as per PSU. Unfortunately, I live in the Socialist State of Maryland, hard on the heels of Burts beloved California, and, in anything other than national elections, who I pick to represent me will make little difference. Thanks to all for the "buck up", and keep up the fight!

I disagree with your slap at the "independent voter" (assuming you mean those of us not registered or affiliated with any political party). I left the Republicans on principle when GHW Bush abandoned conservatism. In that I am incapable of finding a viable conservative party, I am partyless and will remain that way until such an organization arises to save us from Republican and Democratic progressives.

Whoever invented the "straight ticket" must have been a liberal Democrat since they use it to draw in the political lazy, allowing them to walk in, vote, and walk out without a modicum of serious thought about the entire process. I say get rid of it (and early voting) making the political lazy to have to think or stay away from the polls.

And now I hear that in San Francisco the Board of Whatever-the-hell they call themselves wants to give "protected status" to felons by removing certain notification information on job applications. I am watching madness unfold before my very eyes and I can't for the life of me understand why these people think like they do and how they come to be elected at all. I hope that,when the apocalyptic moment arrives when the madness rains woe and misery on them as it surely will, I will view it safely from afar.

"arrogant pipsqueak" says it all Burt.

BoFromTexas: Love your bit about loose cannons on the deck of the American ship.Brilliant!As for trying to educate liberals, you`re correct not to even try.Some other commentator recently wrote that "arguing with a liberal is like swapping spit with a jackass".My wise old daddy liked to say that you can`t make a silk purse out of a sow`s ear.

Richard Ryan

Lamar,Missouri - Birthplace of Harry S Truman

"...a nation created by such giants as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison and Adams, had to wait 232 years for a leftwing community organizer to fix what wasn't broken?"

It's not broken, it just lacks duct tape.

I agree with abolishing the straight ticket. We also need state issued photo ID for all voters - eliminate the vote early and vote often for Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Perhaps a civics knowledge, and/or sanity test?

Good article. Just wish you would have included Alexander Hamilton with the other great founders.

Hamilton? He's no great founder, he opened the door to corrupt politics.

I ought, I suppose, to be offended by your characterization of independents, since I believe myself to be just that. The truth is, though, that with only one exception I have voted Republican in every election since I came of age. I keep hoping there'll be a national election in which the choice is not for the least bad choice but for the best, something we haven't had since Reagan (and, before him, Eisenhower).

The exception? Perot in what was it, 92? Bush 41 lost me and a bunch of others with "read my lips", among other things, and I couldn't stomach the idea of voting for the Sociopath from Hope. Shoulda known better, but hope springs eternal. Which is why I will never again vote for a 3d party candidate, much as I might like him/her/it or believe in that party's platform.

Long story less long, here in Texas, you don't register by party affiliation. You may vote in whatever party's primary you wish and are not bound by that vote to support that party in the state-wide or national election. Makes for fun times.

Jerry M--- I agree with J. Henry Jr. I also want to vomit when I hear people say Lincoln was a great president!

I registered as an Independent because the GOP was simply not a true alternative to the Democrat-Socialist Party. However, as someone mentioned earlier, it does keep you out of the primaries. I don't have a political home in either of the two major parties and I'm getting tired, after 1984, of holding my nose and surrendering my vote to the "lesser of two evils." It really is time for a viable third party--one strictly for a federal government absolutely in line with the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

The Tea Party is on the right track, but it isn't really a party. Unfortunately, if they became one, liberal big statist Republican types would glam on and dilute/manipulate the TP message.

Merry C. I agree, but in my desperation I'd take a Lincoln (and maybe even a Carter-type incompetent) over who we now have!

"money orders sent home by those who have snuck across our border?"

And all that drug money going across the border. All those taxes on top of this loss and it's no wonder there's no money to invest in jobs.

Right on the money as always!