[Bob J]

And so our would-be heroes are forced by the winds of circumstance, to propose massive new big-government socialist entitlement programs...?? C'mon man... you don't buy that.. do you?

Not the winds of circumstance but 70 years of getting something for nothing from Uncle Sam and now expecting it.

Changing a culture from one of dependancy is not going to be easy, but capitulating at the sound of the bell makes for a wobbly start.

We aren't going to win via knock out, so we got to get out of the first round without letting the opposition land a stunner, then, connect with some jabs and getting in a few bione jarring and nasty upper cuts while doing some ropey dope when needed.

That is, only if we're going to be standing with our hand in the air at the end of 15.

[OWK]

We aren't going to win via knock out, so we got to get out of the first round without letting the opposition land a stunner..

To continue your analogy, we seem hell-bent on confusing our opponent, by continually punching ourselves in the face.