I am politically independent, I like to think for myself, speak for myself, and stand up for myself. I resist leftist radical mantras, as well as the fear mongering extreme right. I would not propose to be your leader, or example, tell you how to live or what to believe, nor will I be told by Obama, the Tea Party, the NRA, or any of you. Our politicians should vote based upon a belief of whats right for their constituents and the entire country as well. I realize this is influenced by lobbists both to the advantage of causes we may believe in, as well as causes we may most decidedly not believe in. It's wrong, it exists, and has existed since ancient Greece, and probably before. All paid hired professional lobbists should be banned, period. Nothing more than corrupting influence peddlers. Dollars for votes. Possible solutions may be strict term limits for all political positions, and no cushy lobbiest job when you retire. Make the decisions of the day based on merit of the debate, go home, where you came from, not retire with a lifetime pension in Palm Springs, and become a contributing member of your community. Make it political service, not a destination dream job. We just might get better people, better decisions, and representation as concieved by our forefathers, something we haven't seen since the last of the original signers passed from the scene. The political PAC's won't invest millions in a guy with a 4 year term. Just because one lobby or another happens to espouse a cause we embrace, does nothing to mitigate the fact that professional lobbying is no different than buying votes outside the local election polling place. two equally bad acts do not make a righteous outcome. As stated by Eugene Debs, in 1920, "I would not lead you to Utopia, because if you would follow me there, you would follow someone else out! You must find your own way". I commend everyone here on the well thought out positions expressed, one position we can all support, is freedom of speech, it is the debate which moves us forward. Ironically a right threatened occasionally through history, by our own government, and courts, as well.
