Lin2rose

It means that you have a right to "voice your opinion" in acceptable ways (according to the constitution and supreme court rulings) as long as the consquences do not create a hazard for others or infringe on others' individual rights or health and safety.

1.Individual and corporate greed 2. The desire of elected officials to get elected"at any and all costs" 3. lack of campaign spending limits 4. recent Supreme Court ruling charactrizing corporations as "individuals" and lifting corporate campaign contribution limits 5. the physical and intellectual laziness of a large number of Americans who prefer to get their limited national and international news and information from biased news media and don't think it's their obligation to participate in the electoral process 6. the lack of civility in Congress and in the national dialogue as manifested on TV and radio 7. the refusal of members of Congress to engage in civil dialogues that do not play to electoral politics. Name, calling, lack of factually based statements and arguments; lack of logic in discussions; boldfaced "biased reporting" and brainwashing of the populace 8. Desire of the elements who ruined the financial system by their reckless betting and investments, to now regain control and continue to steal money from the American economic system and the people. 9. Lack of enough politicians to "speak up"; stand up for principles and to tell the truth!! Shame on this country, we will soon be a 2d to third rate world debtor nation if people does not wake up and get serious about their respective obligations to society, their families and themselves.

1. Immediately institute campaign finance limits both in dollar amounts and campaigning length similar to other nations 2. Not elect any politician who does not live up to campaign positions and promises to his/her individual constituents 3. Seriously consider "trm limits" for all politicians 4. Limit media (print and broadcast) to factual reporting and/or truthfully and overtly identifying their corporate and financial biases and funding 5. Redefine the political dialogue --there is not a choice between starting the economy and balancing the budget. One is short-ranged and immediate; the other developed over time and will take time to pay down. 6. Stop allowing "misinformed, avaricious movie-star wannabees" like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to masquerade as informed individuals or politicians. They have tasted the "good financial life" of TV and movie stars; as well as successful authors and love the MONEY --pure and simple!! They are paid "prostitutes" who are peddling "nonsensical garbage" to bamboozle the people and accumulate great wealth. 7. Stop "underestimating the intelligence" of the American people. All politics is still local; the baby boomers and others are better educated than any other generations and will not take this lying down. People analyze their "monthly budgets" and their present living situations even if they don't pay close attention to what is going on They just need to not "give up on the electoral system" which is the best in the world.

I love Brian's program and listen to it every day; even when out of NYC I stream it. He is brilliant, impartial and exemplifies what true reporting is and should be! In the heartland, it is hard to gain access to such news. His topics and guests are varied and great. I am proud to be a Brooklynite and New Yorker in this regard, despite NYC's recent deterioration in civility and quality of life. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
I know and understand the political and educational process very well having spent 6 years alone in DC and 35-40 years in the public education arena.I am a retired attorney and educator and have followed and participated actively in politics for the last 50 years. We are on the brink of great devastation as a nation if we all don't wake up. Obama is trying but needs more experienced, "senior level" advisors around him as had other Presidents such as JFK, Bush 2, Johnson etc. Time is limited; problems are multiplying and he must be more flexible, gain advice from "seasoned, experienced, bi-partisan individuals" of all backgrounds. It is also necessary to "get hands dirty"; stop trying to "negotiate with those who do not want to negotiate"; stop believing that "mediation and the strength of logic" can win all battles. I too went to Harvard and am cerebral but at some points, one has to roll up sleeves and "get in the gutter" if that's what the opposition forces one to do!! Vary tactics, listen to more people; stop believing that Larry Summers and Geitner are financial genius gods. Summers was a disaster as Pres. of Harvard and these guys are too tied in to financial interests to be objective. Look at what Robert Rubin and others did to the country and for themselves in previous administrations! Even Felix Rohatyn and Paul Volker are having apoplexy!
Oh, by the way, the Cathy Black appointment is a naked power grab by czar Bloomberg. It is bogus, an affront to New Yorkers, a continuation of the emasculation of the public education system; an example of greed and cynicism. All those within the system understand what is happening. As a retired educator, believe me, Klein et al have been lying to the public for years and now are "the experts" and are poised to benefit financially from their years of their "on-the-job training" and contempt for educators, parents and the public at large!