rodguy, I'm not sure I fully agree with you. I think the religious right wields a bit of power, because they're great grassroots activists. They're true believers, hard workers, and American to the core. But in order to see how much power they actually wield they probably have to be prepared to leave, but where will they/we go? We have no place, and that's why a viable Third Party would produce a world of good. But when I say viable, I mean viable. Smart leaders, good PR people and all the rest. Not sure that will ever happen but it would be the impetus needed for both parties to begin an examination of conscience.
I'm a democrat at heart, but I can't go there, they're insane, really, truly insane! And, oh, how I long for a good, solid, loyal opposition to the Republicans. Good for them, good for us, good for the Country, without that we're in big trouble. A loyal opposition party is absolutely necessary for a healthy republic.
We may be witnessing a historical watershed moment here. It is impossible for me to believe that we are a nation on a future course the likes of which we witnessed today. If the America that de Toqueville knew, that he descibed as being great because she was good goes down in flames, the whole world goes down with her.
You make a lot of good common sense. The problem with politics today is that the next two presidential candidates could spend somewhere in the neighborhood of a billion bucks to get elected by the time the cash has all been spent by 08. That means you need a third party with lots of bucks.