Hi, Becky,

Thank you!

I guess calling your vocal lefty friends a few choice names when they start in on that stuff probably wouldn't help, huh? I know what you mean: As soon as that garbage starts up on either side, it lowers the whole tone about thirteen octaves and does nothing to generate what this country sorely needs these days, honest debate.

Re the right and homelessness (or any issue, really): Deep, dark secret time. I was a Republican at one time, and I was amazed at how simple it made everything--instantly. I listened to Rush and agreed with all of the black-and-white problems and "answers" to those problems and went "Yeah, that's right!" Then I got a maturity transplant (mean, yes, I know, but not exactly name-calling, so I think I'm still safe), and realized, of course, that so few, if any, real problems can be laid out that way. What's critically needed to address pressing issues are intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and a REAL sense of responsibility. For instance, why SHOULDN'T wealthy people in this country have higher tax rates, for cryin' out loud? I believe it is their social and patriotic duty to put money in the kitty to try to make their country, the land in which they made their money and make their homes, a better place. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to try to better one's society if one can help? I just don't get it, hence, I have not been a GOP member for some time. And don't get me wrong, it's not that traditional conservatism doesn't make sense in at least some ways, but therein lies the problem: Those in power of the GOP today are not even in the same universe as traditional Republicans. They are fundamentalist loonies who are incredibly dangerous. The good news? I think they'll see a lot of backlash at the polls come November; I'm certainly predicting a flat-out rejection of Bush.