Treat them as scum-bags.

Barack Obama doesn't have friends in the Republican Party. Evidenced by the fact that the party's leadership says it's priority is to see to it that Obama becomes a one-term president. That they'll do everything they can to make his life miserable and to oppose and even sabotage his agenda the rest of the way. But Obama is making the mistake of trying to work with the new Republican majority in Congress. As if Republicans are fine and decent people. And that maybe he can cultivate friendships with Republicans. That's naive. Better that Obama recognize Republicans for what they are. Enemies. And that's how Republicans should be treated. Like enemies. Beyond redemption. Forget the social nicities. Obama is dealing with scum-bags. Treat them as such. --Jim Broede

Sam sounds better than Mr. god.

My late wife's name was Jeanne. And so when I talked to people about my lovely wife, I always identified her by name. Jeanne. I didn't keep referring to her as my wife. But rather as Jeanne. Because that made it more personal. I like to call people by their names. I have friends. Such as Cherie. And Rosie. I don't address them as 'friend.' Even though they are friends. Instead, I call them Cherie and Rosie. Maybe dear Cherie and dear Rosie. I use their god-given names. When I meet strangers, the first thing I try to do is catch their names. And to use their names. Preferably, their first names. I like the informality of using a first name. Less formal than the surname. Even if the person is older than me. I want to be on a first-name basis. And I want to be called by my first name. By my nickname. Jim. Even if a youngster is addressing me. I want to be called Jim. Not Mr. Broede. I keep wondering if god has a name. Something other than god. Like Sam. If so, that's what I'd call him. Sam. That sounds a lot better than Mr. god. Or just plain god. --Jim Broede

Truly feeling we are better off.

I accept the necessity for government. Federal government. State government. Local government. Doesn't bother me. I know some people would like to have less government. Even no government. But the latter - well, that's impractical. So let's concede that we need government. To keep things fair and square. Otherwise, some of us would take advantage of each other. We need government to provide reasonable regulation. And some basic services. Maybe when there was only a relative handful of people on Mother Earth we didn't need much government. If any. But those days are long gone. Now we have billions of people. And it isn't outlandish to presume that some day maybe we'll find that world government is a good idea. To keep some semblance of control on activities here on Earth. Otherwise, it's quite possible that we could destroy Earth one way or another. I'm somewhat pleased with Amrican government. No doubt it could be better. More efficiently run. But generally speaking, I can live with it. Even when the dastardly Republicans are in power. Knowing full well that they won't hold power forever. The same goes for the capitalist system. Give us another 1,000 years, and capitalism will have died a deserved death. I'm sure we'll find something suitable to replace it. Things evolve. And get better and better and better. Better to be living today than 200 years ago. Albeit, some conservative Republicans would like to turn the clock back to the 18th century. They get nostalgic for the old ways/days. But most of us welcome change. And we move into the modern era truly feeling we are better off. --Jim Broede

Call me a true patriot.

I'm for higher taxes on virtually everyone, but especially on the rich, if that's what it takes to get the USA out of debt. Let's wipe out the budget deficit with a one-time surtax. Maybe 15 percent on the wealthiest Americans. And something less on us poor slobs. I'll pitch in. Like it was a war effort. A battle for survival. Let's all make a one-time sacrifice. Then we can start with a clean slate. Certainly, we have enough money collectively to solve our debt problem. Let's just pool it and cool it. Sure, I'm for taxing the rich. They can afford it. They'll still have plenty of moola to live in splendor. And maybe the rest of us may have to miss a meal or a vacation. But so be it. I'm for anything that serves the common good. To get our nation back on track again. Call me a true patriot. --Jim Broede

He could better serve the liberals.

I blame Barack Obama for the resurgence of the Republicans. Obama has been a weak president. Much weaker and meeker than I expected him to be. He's been too cerebral. He's forgottten how to effectively deliver his message. Obama did good on the campaign trail. He was forceful. Eloquent in speech. Inspiring. But once he got to the White House, Obama seemed to lose his pizzaz. He became too nice a guy. He needs to act more like a ruthless politician than an intellectual or philosopher or college professor. When Obama is attacked by Republicans, he should answer back. He should make mince meat of Republicans. And Obama should brag about his accompishments. And he shouldn't hesitate to ridicule Republicans. Unmercifully. He should rip Republicans to shreds. Humiliate them. He should take no prisoners. And Obama should present a grand and glorious agenda for the next two years. And then he should work diligently on a daily basis to get it implemented. Even if he has to steamroll it through Congress. Obama has the brain power to lure strong public support for his programs. But he needs more passion. More determination. I want him to become the Obama he promised us he would be two years ago. Yes, as a liberal, I am disappointed in Obama. He could better serve the liberal cause. --Jim Broede

In a remote corner of the world.

Maybe the smart people are the ones that ignore politics. Totally. And just get on with life. Paying no attention to politics. Because politicians will do what they want to do. And that is to allow themselves to be bribed. By the big money interests. To do the bidding of not the ordinary people, but corporations and the wealthy. That's the nature of the political game. To buy power. To buy influence. And to make money. One way or another. Maybe it's the only way the world can operate. By creating political systems to run the show. Fortunately, I'm able to run my own show. As a romantic idealist, a free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. I dabble in politics. In order to get a feel for what's happening. But that's all. I understand politics. And I ain't gonna change the nature of the game. But I'm not gonna let it consume or destroy me. I'll just go my own way. And live quietly in a remote corner of the world. --Jim Broede

I'll flee rather than live in Hell.

Seems to me we Americans keep shifting back and forth. In an effort to find the political party to lead us to wherever it is we want to go. We give the Republicans a few years to do the leading. Then the Democrats. Then back to the Republicans again. Funny thing. Nobody gets the job done. Largely, it seems, because our two main political parties refuse to work with each other. Fail to reach accord. Fail to compromise. Yes, we're polarized. Split. Divided. In a sense, we're engaged in a civil war. In the process, we may end up destroying each other. And destroying our nation. We can't seem to accomplish any kind of fix. Because the party out of power does everything possible to block the party that's in power. We Americans work against each other. Rather than with each other. United we stand and divided we fall. And we are falling. Declining. We are anything but united. This is not the United States of America any more. It is the Disunited States of America. My gawd. We've got all sorts of problems. With our political system. Our economic system. Our social system. And we are letting the problems fester. Because we can't agree on what to do. We are too busy fighting each other. We don't even talk to each other civilly anymore. I'm starting to feel like a helpless child. In a family. Where mom and dad are constantly feuding. Doesn't look good for the family. I sure wish the Republicans and Democrats would go and see a therapist. And try to patch things up. But hey, if they can't get their acts together, I'm not sticking around. I'm leaving for Italy soon. For a life of love. Maybe I'll never return. I'd much rather live with my true love. And be happy. In Paradise. That's better than living in Hell with feuding Republicans and Democrats. --Jim Broede