Diveboss Wrote: Is that you Rocky? You need to brush up on your history just a little bit. Particularly that part that defines the role of government. I don't remember NASA, NOAA or the EPA being things the federal government was to be responsible for. I don't believe rebuilding low lying coastal cities that were damaged by hurricanes as a role of the federal government. The role of the government is to defend and protect it's citizens from harm. The role of the government is to stay out of the way of it's citizens as they freely persue their own forms of happiness, provided it does not violate the rights of others to do the same. All the other crap you mentioned is simply the talking points of the far left. IF all George Bush did in his 8 years was to keep this country and it's people safe, then he did exactly what the framers had intended. And in less than 15 minutes, you can thank a veteran for giving you the right to say what you want. And I will thank them for giving me the right to respond. Happy Veterans day to the rest of you who served! Hi Diveboss... You mention the federal government is supposed to defend and protect it's citizens. You go on to say that the federal government is not responsible to rebuild low lying coastal cities. So... helping citizens of the United States of America who's lives have been destroyed by a natural calamity is not the responsibilty of the federal government? Your thinking is the typical right wing thinking and it is extremely hypocritical. For, if it were your home that was destroyed, you would be screaming for some kind of federal help. You mention the "framers"... I suppose you mean the true American patriots who designed and wrote the Constitution. I believe these same "framers" would roll over in their graves if they knew what the Bush admin has done to our most precious docmument. Please do not bring up the Constitution to validate your point, while at the same time you conveniently forget the crimes against the Constitution that your favorite president has committed. In the real world, you cannot pick and choose which parts of the Constitution you are willing to protect. And neither can the war veterans pick and choose which freedoms they will fight to preserve. And the EPA is not essential? Why they only protect us from industrial poisons, and oversee significant bills such as the clean air and clean water acts. And let us not forget... and all right wingers seem to not want to mention this... but the greatest attack on American soil occurred during a republican presidential watch. And don't tell me it was Clinton's fault. When Clinton launched missles at Al Queida bases in Afghanistan in the 90's, the republicans claimed Clinton was attempting to divert attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. So, in reality, if the republicans were not hounding Clinton for spurious reasons while in office, maybe Clinton could have done more about Al Queida. As it were, he was fighting for his political life and he turned over a lot of intelligence to the Bushies and recommended they make going after Al Queida a priority. But Bush sat on the intelligence and allowed 911 to happen. Those are the facts. And please do not tell me that private enterprise will lead the way in saving our civilization. Where are they? In your closet? Under your bed? Sure... they have brought us all kinds of "cool" electronic gadgets and conveniences in our lives. But where are they when it comes to global warming, energy efficiency, energy independence and actually providing well paying jobs for our citizens? Again... if we solve the major problems staring us in the face, it will be government intitiatives and mandates that will accomplish this. Private interests are only concerned with their stock holders and profits, not the well being of our citizens. Now, I won't take up anymore of this blog space by debating political issues. I just had to say something, because we live in Utah. And Utahn's cannot grasp the fact the republicans got their asses kicked in the last election. The American people are tired of Reaganomics and abuses of our Constitution. For thirty years we have seen unfettered excess by our corporate overlords. The American people have spoken! No more right wing policies! Thanks again for your time. Jon p.s. No, this is not Rocky, but I will say hello to him if I see him.