[Kamen]

Both parties are steeped in corruption and pandering. Religious Right and big business for the Republicans, unions and minorities for the Democrats.

I suspect that due to the way elections are now financed, that will not change without significant reform. If candidates were prohibited to accept money for their campaigns, and instead were granted weekly television airtime, then perhaps influence of these groups would be minimized. However both parties must support candidates that will appeal to their respective platforms if they are to survive. Witness the success of Kucinich, Gephardt and other candidates that have stellar records and good ideas, but alienated some of the party core.

I keep hoping for a Sister Souljah moment from anyone, anyone at all. It is impossible, the party machines are too successful.

I know many very reasonable people who are passionate in their party affiliations, even though they disagree with some features of the platforms. One of the reasons they do it is loathing of the other party's position. We became a nation of "at least he is not as bad as the other guy" voters.

I do not know if there is a way out. I am a registered Independent, and vote based on specific election issues, not along party lines. I do not think third parties are currently viable with the current structure heavily favoring both major parties.

One day I thought McCain and Lieberman might form a "Common Sense" party, but it has not yet happened. What we really need is a new Teddy Roosevelt.

Cool Hand, good luck to your friend.

Godless Dave, I think the Zyklon gas rhetoric is unwarranted, just as I think it is unwarranted to say if you vote for Democrats, the terrorists will strike again. It is this kind of rhetoric that alienates reasonable people from productive communication and common ground.