Reply #19: We agree on some things, disagree on others. Some things will play out in time.

[Buzz Clik]

First, thank you for saying quite clearly that nearly every Dem in Congress should have been voted out of office. All of them with the exception of maybe two who stuck to their ideals should have been flushed at the primary level. Generally, it was a Republican who show some spine on some issue or another and loudly buck President Bush; for a while, that was John McCain. Regardless, the Dem Congress from 2000-2008 was inexcusable.

Actually, I find Obama's cabinet to be pretty fascinating. Every appointment seemed to have a logical reason behind it, and each brings some strength to the position. As such, I also disagree that a President should be surrounded by like-minded people. A strong, secure leader needs to have immediate access to an unfiltered diversity of opinion. An intelligent leader with good insight can sift through the ideas quickly because he/she has been exposed to a balanced view. In the absence of hearing these alternatives, he's left to his own devices to provide balance.

The bipartisan approach in the beginning was critical to avoid unnecessary confrontation. We'd had eight years of that.

Now, strong-arming Congress and showing he can't be pushed around has not happened yet, but it will happen. Health care reform is the big ticket item he must get through before the midterm election cycle begins in earnest. We won't have to wait long; it will happen.

In my heart of hearts, I also believe that once health care is done, Obama will start addressing those items near and dear to our hearts that require no bipartisanship. Those controversial goodies that can be solved with an executive order will be solved: "don't ask don't tell" will go away; we'll start getting our environment cleaned up; etc.

Be patient, but don't be quiet. Continue to scream loudly in favor of the things we want. And I know you will, Frank. I love your passion. Wailing in anticipation of defeat will get us jack shit.