We have recent developements in the GOP that lead me to believe that the time is near for a third party. There are a number of candidates who have broken with the leadership over ideological differences. There are a number of moderate republicans who have grown disenchanted by the growing popularity of populist social conservatives that are polarizing the party. Sara Palin and Michele Bachmann have swung the party to the right and there is less and less room for many who although firm in their fiscal conservatism, are not so keen on the social issues. These republicans are typically in the coasts and they do not appreciate the intervention of party leaders in their local races. Dede Scozzafava just pulled out of her race in New York after some in her party endorsed Douglas Hoffman, a conservative. It is time for the centrists to form a party of common sense. A party that embraces most of the people I know.

Healthcare Reform

How is it that the Democratic Party has lost the PR war for health care reform? Once again, the Republicans win because they are able to dumb down the message to appeal to the masses. Meanwhile the Democrats are forced to use full paragraphs to explain their proposals. It is time that we climb down from our intellectual high horse and begin to explain these issues in terms Bubba can understand. We were subjected to eight years of W's abuses because he found a way to appeal to this constituency. Bubba does not want to hear condescending easterners tell them whats best for them. So lets dumb down the message so that the Senate feels the pressure to pass this reform:

So Bubba:

The system is broke!
There is no choice if you can't afford it!
Millions go without care and costs are spiraling.
Every other industrialized nation in the World had some sort of socialized medicine.
We already have a government-run program that works quite well-Medicare.
Don't want the Government running your life.....but you're OK with insurance companies doing it? Do you understand that they exist to make a profit and not to provide good health care?