Politicians know most people have more important things on their minds than the actions of politicians. Politicians also know something else: they know that they have no choice but to find a way to grab voter's attention in preparation for the next election. One of the best attention-getters of all is FEAR...the politics of FEAR. (remember our definition of FEAR is (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal)

"Bipartisanship" has also become a dirty word but not for the reason most Americans have considered. Think about what it means--only two parties. The reluctance for Democrats and Republicans to work together is a big hoax perpetrated by them to make it appear that they are two parties who hate each other when in fact they're really one party who work great together. They have a few minor differences sometimes such as whether to increase spending by 6% or 4%, and some of them disagree on non-issues like abortion and gay marriage, but all in all, they are one unified party. The difference between Ds and Rs is about the same as the difference between Baptists and Methodists. They are both Christians...just like republicans and democrats are both politicians.

Meanwhile, they've rigged the elections by forbidding outright anyone other than Ds and Rs to appear on the primary ballot or else making it difficult for other parties and independents. They throw away any votes they don't approve of. They gerrymander the districts to assure themselves victory. So "bipartisanship" is a dirty word not because they never engage in it but because ONLY two parties are allowed to have any say in this country. How about some tri-partisanship, quadra-partisanship or deca-partisanship?

I've been reading many articles/blogs, etc. about Presidential Candidate Ron Paul. Some of them label him 'crazy.' Some of them label his ideas 'radical,' 'different,' and 'kooky.'

After I stop laughing, I think, 'Everything is upside down. Or maybe we've actually come full circle?' When the ideas of limited government, strict adherence to the Constitution, a free market, and fiscal responsibility are called radical, perhaps the truth is that the rest of the politicians have gone crazy and Ron Paul is really the sane one.

Many of the 2008 Presidential candidates from both parties are scripted media masterpieces who will promise you everything, and deliver little. They will change their position and say anything to get elected. After that, they will ignore you and do whatever they like. Why? Because it's all about them, not you. They never intended to serve the people. They just liked the idea of themselves and their party being in charge.

If Ron Paul is a radical statesman with revolutionary ideas, that's okay with me because I really like revolutionary ideas like freedom and abiding by the Constitution. When teenagers drag their parents to over to the computer to listen to web videos of a 71 year old man because Dr. Paul speaks of freedom and fiscal responsibility for the future, hey, that's cool with me.

I remember when we used to support candidates because we liked what they stood for. We thought that they were people of principle who wanted to help us make our country and our lives better.

Lately we seem to have been reduced to considering the lesser of all the evils on almost every issue...even locally. Well, I'm one person who is sick and tired of the lesser of evils, because the lesser of evils is still evil. Some politicians even talk of 'throwing away a vote.' Thomas Jefferson would roll over in his grave upon hearing that. We must always vote our conscience. We must always stand up for what is right, even if it isn't popular.

That's why it is soooooooo important to point out REAL and meaningful LEADERSHIP when it happens...and the Volusia County Council's vote on participating in the Commuter Rail projest through Central Florida is clearly taking a stand and voting for the future good of the community even in the face of widespread angst over government spending.

I also applaud Daytona City Commissioner Rick Shiver and the entire Daytona City Commission as they have grappled with effort of the Central Florida Cultural Endeavors (CFCE) and their request for funding of the Florida International Festival/London Symphony Orchestra's performances in Daytona Beach. Commissioner Shiver's recommendations to convert the proposed GRANT into a LOAN that will be forgiven ONLY in the event that ALL the provisions of the contract are fullfilled were a nice change that led the commission to a 5-2 vote moving the proposal to a second reading.

Maybe there IS hope and "Statesmenship" isnt dead afterall.