OT Do we care? or not? $$$$$$$$$$$

[HighTechRedneck]

Gary, do you mean the average employer wouldn't be fully supportive?    After all wouldn't it be a plus for them if you won?    

In all seriousness, I think you hit upon a major part of the problem.  Running for office is expensive and requires a lot of time.  Only professional politicians with substantial financial backing have a real chance.  Perhaps it would be much better if during the two months before an election a once a week debate between the candidates was televised at no expense to them (run commercials to pay for the airtime just like any other program).  Outside of that, ban any publicity for the candidates (I realize that would be difficult due to freedom of the press).

• Nobody could "buy an election".
• True "grass roots" candidates would be able to have a shot at winning without owing political favors.
• It would be an easy way for the public to fairly compare candidates based on the issues.
• All issues would be discussed close enough to the election to be remembered.

[chargePlus]

Correct me if i am wrong, but don't i remember that during the Reagan and Bush Sr. terms, we had a horrific amount of debt and that everyone was saying that we would never see the end of it and our greatgrand kids would be stuck paying it off? And that it would be the end of the US and our way of life, etc.  And don't i also remember that just a few years later during the Clinton years we not only no longer had a debt but that we actually had a surplus?

Actually there was still a debt, but the federal government was not deficit spending (adding to the outstanding debt) for a few years.

Here is a site that seems to explain what has happened.

http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

- John