Losing Congress or the White House will not be a "wake-up call." These people are weak for other reasons than political popularity. They need to be convinced that they are betraying us, and/or that they are WRONG. Nothing else will accomplish much.
Also, the Democratic party has become so insane that letting them have either Congress or the White House for even two years would do enormous damage to the country -- even if the lesson you want were taught to the GOP.
You seem to be one of the many FReepers who walk away from the game if you don't win. Real men, and real citizens, like real athletes, keep playing even when it looks terrible.
Third-party, or staying home, or voting Democratic, none of these is a valid option. These are cowardly, useless responses.
Uh, what reasons?
As to your insults.....sticks and stones, and all that. Millions swallowed spit to defeat the boogeymen - Gore and Kerry. Those same millions are getting the message from the action of the folks we have elected. Those same millions will not forget in 2008, if Frist goes wobbly.
Take that to the bank.
Which would be better: to have Congress made up of 49% liberal Democrats, 25% conservative Republicans, and 26% "Republicans" who felt they need run leftward to be and remain "electable"; or to have a Congress made up of 49% conservative Republicans, 25% liberal Democrats, and 26% "Democrats" who felt they needed to run rightward to be and remain "electable"?
I'd suggest the latter would be much preferable. Unfortunately, what we have is the former.