[NJ_gent]

"What we can do is organize, run for office ourselves, and encourage other like-minded citizens to do the same."

Those in office are well-funded by special interest groups. Do we really have the ability to challenge someone who's getting millions from big companies and whose name is well-known? I think you're assuming we have an informed public. Unfortunately, media-driven name dropping is enough to get a lot of these people into office. To provide meaningful change, we'd need to get decent people elected to at least half of Congress. Considering half the country votes Democrat, that appears increasingly unlikely. Look at it this way: how many candidates could Freepers and DUers agree on?

[ellery]

FReepers and DU are the fringe. The vast majority of the American public would never be interested enough to even visit a political forum, much less post to it.

Look, I'm not saying it's easy, or that it will happen quickly. But Goldwater did it all those many years ago, and even though he didn't win the presidency, his work led directly to Reagan's win. Start local, and plant seeds. Get just two people motivated about these issues. Talk to your neighbors, write convincing letters to the editor, post flyers, hold meetings, ask to speak to community groups. I don't think we have an informed public -- but I do think we can do our part to help inform our fellow citizens.

I just don't think defeatism is worthy of the fine people of FReeRepublic or America. Our forebears and todays fine military protectors have shed too much blood for us to just give up.

[ellery]

Also, contribute more in time or money to your own special interest group of choice, and encourage others to do the same.