[Arleigh]

You may understand that there are benefits to be had, but the average American drone doesn't and would be instantly manipulated by the Dems in the same way that the Dems cynically scare old people with threats to their social security.

TRANSLATION: It's just too hard to stick to one's convictions. Easier to go with the flow. We're only in it for the power and the money that comes with running the country, after all.

[bluefish]

Your mind must be stuck on a single cynical track, because your "translation" doesn't convey what I said, and is not even remotely related. My suggestion was that massive cuts could very well be planned (I will have to admit that the cynical side of me says they aren't), but announcing them is kind of like wearing highly reflective glasses while playing poker (the Dems being the opposing player). All I said was that it would be silly to give the opponenent (if that is what they truly are) ammunition with which to take the pot. This was counter to the suggestion that politics can be played as if everybody thinks like you or can be reasoned with, which they cannot. The Dems understand this and use it to their advantage, which is why the Republicans always get trounced. I'm witholding judgement, rather than instantly engaging in a bitch session before I even know what is going down. What I do know is that the pot being stirred already had a huge stench to it, so I don't mind mucking around with the ingredients. All the complainers here apparently like the Federal Govt. and all its agencies and bureaucrats just the way it is. Perhaps their REAL fear is that they will lose the opportunity to whine on a daily basis.