Great article. Thank you.

The Tea Party was not funded by large outside groups. The Tea Party was not the same old retreads that we see with the groups that occupied the Capital in Wisconsin or are now on Wall Street. The Tea Party was a peaceful (I don't recall them "occupying" or destroying other peoples property) movement with a clearly stated mission. Stop the out of control spending. Did candidates from all sides receive donations from groups to the right or left? Of course they did. Just as it has always been. There really isn't a common thread between the two groups. The occupiers don't really have a clear statement. They want other peoples stuff, they want to get rid of money, they don't like the war, they don't want to work for minimum wage, they don't want to pay off student loans, etc. The Tea Party movement wants fiscal sanity and smaller government. Our government is so bloated and so inefficient that even when there is an opportunity for progress the government stifles it. Voting is our only means. And when those we voted in don't do what they said they would they should be voted out.

This perpetual cycle now of constant campaigning (even the Commander in Chief is campaigning and not working) and recalls will be the demise of democracy. That is not what democracy is. I do wholeheartedly agree with you though, We the People are the biggest losers in all of this. These are the pinheads that make our financial, business, health and education decisions. The same clowns that couldn't run a popcorn stand are in charge of practically running every aspect of our lives. That should scare the crap out of everyone!

LCG.....put the glass of kool-aid down and take a deep breath.

Thanks for helping to identify one more reason as to why it is so crucial for our nation's future health and sustainability that we need to learn what it means to think and then begin to learn it. Sadly, name calling has replaced listening and thinking. We appear to be approaching a "tipping point" comparable to that of The French Revolution and the emergence of Romanticism. Let's hope we learn to listen, to think, and, then planfully to come together so as to co-create a sustainable future characterized by the ability of all to flourish.

I agree, also. It's not just state and national politics - ever check who gets elected to the RUSD school board? Anyone ever get elected there without the backing of the teachers union? Not that I can remember. Is it only that "bums" will want that job because those who can do better and are more ethical will want jobs in the private sector or run their own business? Is it that the power of public office attracts those who would abuse it? Who can we vote for if there are not decent candidates? I haven't even bothered watching the Rep. primary debates yet. I'll have to pay more attention as we get closer, but I just can't bring myself to watch these guys. I don't like any except possibly Cain. Not sure on him yet.

DJ, Your article amounts to little more than whining. Yes, the political system is a mess. What do you propose we do about it? Turn off the TV? Think critically? I think we need something a little more concrete than that. Also, you are wrong about OWS being funded by the wealthy. It may eventually be taken over by big money like the Tea Party was. But right now it's entirely supported by 'little' people.
I can see where watching a Republican debate would make you despair. I sympathize. But you then assume Democrats are just as bad. At the moment Democrats are about as bad as they have always been, but Republicans have gone off the deep end. So now that you are thinking critically about these things, I recommend doing some research and looking into campaign reform, banking reform, filibuster reform, abolishing the electoral college, drawing congressional districts using neutral computer algorithms and other ideas that could reduce the corruption in politics.

DJ: I just left a class at UW-M. This local university is going to lose Millions, as will the Madison campus. The Plutocrats have formed an oligarchy. Out of one side of their mouth the Governor's office declared that by graduating more students we will attract more employers who in turn will give out jobs. Funny how this same government then believes that niggardly treatment of students, faculty and the like will enhance education in this state.
As to an earlier comment: If interested, pick up a book called "Cornered". It describes clearly how we have allowed this current situation to come about. We did away with jobs, so that more profits could be made. We then sent jobs over seas: again, so more profits could be made. The viscous spiral went unnoticed for the most part. Sadly, jobs that support the family, the heart, the soul, and the brain: they've all been given away, done away with, or sent overseas. If you do not have money in your bank account you are SOL in the republican and Tea Party's eyes.
We need to co-create a sustainable future. What is going on in Wisconsin, in Washington DC. This is just sending us into a steeper decline than the one in which we already are: just pick up Tom Friedman's "The Used to be Us". We need to demand, formulate, and create a new social contract now.

Nick, I too struggle to see how we will graduate more students with so many school districts receiving funding cuts. The flaw in the logic I see coming from the Republicans is that cutting everything will solve the problem. To borrow their famous balanced checkbook analogy, you can cut all of your expenses--but until you figure out how to generate more revenue--you'll still be broke. I called for critical thinking because we have somehow let media spin and talking points turn people against teachers...really Wisconsin? Teachers are the source of our revenue problems? Sure. Our government has sold us up the river, now we have to rally our neighbors to get back on track.

Dj: it is appalling, our current situation. On patch.com/shorewood, I have been calling for the need to think. I believe we suffer because we no longer know what it means to think or what calls for thinking. Moreover, unless we define our desired end-state fully together with reality of what the current state actually entails, we cannot effectively come together to achieve and complete the "bridging tasks" that will allow us to go From Here to There. best, ngp

Did you Guys hear about the bees

Thank you. for writing this, whatever your politics. We don't need millions spent on TV ads showing the candidate walking through a cornfield looking Presidential and telling us s/he will turn the country around. All we need is a website with a reasoned position paper outlining the candidate's platform. Televised debates are good, because they show me how a given candidate handles him/herself in real time.

It doesn't have to cost so much to run for office if people would just THINK for a change.

Great article. I agree completely.

In case you forgot, Pasch/Darling was a recall election. Darling did nothing wrong taking a vote on important reform. We couldn't expect long term budget stabilty without dealing with public employee benefits. So all the support for Pasch came flooding in from out of state union interests, with applause from the President. I thank God there were organizations like Americans for Prosperity who stood up to defend Darling.

How could I forget? :) It doesn't matter the nature of the election GearHead, the crapload of money that is being spent is the heart of my discontent. Our elections have become a fundraising competition, rather than a true forum on how to improve the conditions of the country and help the people. Organizations like Americans for Prosperity as well as similar organizations on the liberal side are exactly what I'm blaming as the problem. Are you not tired of your politicians representing your interests only when it aligns with the interests of their largest donors?

I say the nature of the election doesn't matter because whether it be a recall, or the upcoming primaries, and through November---money is pulling the cart. These recent and upcoming elections to a greater extent now because corporations can pour in all the money they want. Imagine how much more Pasch and Darling would have had to TRULY defend their records and agendas without someone funding those dumbass commercials they both flooded the airwaves with. I wish this could be blamed solely on the liberal side of the fence, at least then I could point to a culprit. But both sides are taking turns screwing us---all I'm asking is that we demand more and better.

I agree that, in general, people are just not aware enough of the issues - and I admit that I don't take as much time as I should in reading and learning more. (note to self to learn more about the issues)
And I am more appalled every election cycle as to the ridiculously excessive costs - many more entities or people could benefit by those millions of dollars wasted in campaigning. DJ makes great points - turn off the TV and the sound bites and actually read the platforms of the candidates and 2 - all of us need to think critically about the importance of our votes and to make intelligent independent choices.