People are always talking about what the politicians are doing...

[MrScorpio]

When what they really should be talking about is what the people should being doing instead of the politicians.

[MineralMan]

1. OK. What do you think the people should be doing?

Let's talk about it.

[MrScorpio]

7. The biggest thing that bothers me about Americans is our apathy

The second biggest problem is our penchant for distraction over trivia and sensationalism. I think both of these are the fuel for our greed and inability to think in both the long term and for the best result for everyone.

Disenfranchising the greedy, stupid and selfish should be our first move. They have a right of freedom of speech. but no right to be listened to.

[MineralMan]

10. That's all pretty general. I guess I was hoping for some specific

ideas. I'm not sure how one would go about disenfranchising the greedy, stupid, and selfish. I don't know about you, but I've never been apathetic, and have worked all my life to get progressives candidates nominated and elected to office. That's always seemed the most effective way to accomplish things. It doesn't always work out perfectly, certainly, as 2010 showed us. I'm hopeful we'll react to that by redoubling our efforts in 2012.

[Raven]

2. I've done my thing with the politicians and it seems to have had

no impact at all.

[undeterred]

3. I met a man who has been out of work for 2 years and has no car

and is about to lose his apartment. He is 2 years behind on child support. He has skills.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Have a neighbor with 2 imported cars in his garage and can't figure out why his kids can't find jobs

He blames the politicians.

There are two union auto plants within driving distance of his house.

Don

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. The import brands have been doing most of the hiring whereas the detroit brands have been doing most

of the firing, shipping jobs overseas and getting bailouts.

[NNN0LHI]

9. You have stated in the past your preference for non-union made over union made

So I don't take your opinions very seriously.

Know what I mean?

Don

[Shagbark Hickory]

11. No. I don't. And that's not true.

I have never said I prefer non-union over union.

For your information, the import brands buy a lot of domestic car parts made in union plants. The detroit brands are importing an increasing amount from other countries like Mexico.

Instead of ignoring the facts and ignoring the fact that you and most other Americans spend more per year on food, clothing and electronics that is imported than you do on cars, it becomes pretty clear there is some hypocrisy.

I don't own import brands because their workers are non union. I own them because they are more reliable long term and more affordable than the detroit brand competition. I don't fault the workers for this, I fault the detroit car companies that had a different set of ideas for making cars than did the Japanese.

Plus Import brands employ more people in my region than do detroit brands. So I'm employing more people closer to home.

In adddition, the import brands have come up with more sustainable vehicles and initiatives than the detroit brands. This is important to me as well. How many electric cars does Dodge have in production? How many zero waste facilities does Chevy have?

[Autumn]

5. What the politicians are doing affects OUR lives

so yeah we should talk about what they are doing.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Can you explain why you see this as an 'either/or' situation?

Even if the people should be doing more, or different things, I do not see how that dictates that the politicians should go without criticism or persuasion. Why do you say 'instead' rather than 'as well'? Why not say 'take action' rather than 'don't criticize those sworn to serve and also take action'?