It's a big fail on all three of those, from my perspective.

I hear you - a third party would be key. Note how the RINOs crushed the Tea Party? Of course. A lot of us noticed that.

Well said. And, yes...interesting times.

I understand what you are getting at and have long said there is too much expectation for politicians to solve issues.

Personally, I don't want or expect them to give a crap about me or my family. I want them to do 3 things and do them well. Uphold the original intent of the Constitution, stop stealing any more money than it takes to uphold that constitution and leave me & my family the hell alone. I say this to all levels of government including the locals.

I almost agree with you Abaco except that I still think there is a minuscule chance that a voter revolt that elected a third party could force the situation. Some sort of dictatorial action might be taken to retain power by the statists and the game could be exposed to everyone, or perhaps the system that has been perverted for the past 50 years could start to work again. Of course this requires a voter revolt by most of those who have voted for the GOP and a few who have voted for the Dems. Not likely, but in my view, the only peaceful chance for a return to individual liberty and free markets. A tiny chance.
The only other peaceful thing that the people can do is to strike in various ways. Also not very likely by people spoiled by convenience and brainwashed by propaganda.
The other alternatives: slavery or civil war.
No good alternatives that I see. Similar to the choices that a group of men had in Philadelphia in 1776.

Unfortunately, politics is that distasteful mechanism that influences the makeup of our governments at all levels. Some decide to opt out rather than participate, but that means giving up any possible control over what governs much of your life. Staying involved in politics is sort of like changing baby diapers: it's smelly, it's dirty, but it's necessary to maintain a hygenic environment for the baby and others around it.

The only debate I watched was the one moderated by the Fox business team, and it was the one that adhered to a formula that was focused on issues rather than sensationalism. Other than that, I research the life story of the candidates to get a glimpse of their character. When they've been savaged, I take the time to see who's criticizing them. Sometimes, when you've managed to upset everyone, you might be doing the right thing.

It's finally dawning on Bernie Sanders that the DNC was prepped to anoint Clinton from the start, and that his upstart success isn't welcome. That contest is finally getting interesting, mainly because it's beginning to look like the Democrat establishment is preparing to call in Biden if Hillary sinks. I think that's a suicidal move and a misjudgement of the Sanders support.

The Trump show continues, and we'll see if he maintains his support. Personally, I think if he wins Iowa and New Hampshire he'll sweep the table.

Bloomberg is only mildly entertaining. He's wasting his money if he thinks he can buy the Presidency, which would show he didn't get the message when all of his gun control money was wasted in various state elections.

We live in interesting times.

I am afraid I have to agree with you. We are too far down the rabbit hole.

Yeah. I was shocked that Jeb wasn't glad-handed in by the media as a ringer. Now...even more shocked that Hillary is apparently getting trounced by an open socialist I had never heard of. It does make for good drama, but that's about it. Really...when I go out and drop a few bucks on the harness races out at the track it's very similar, yet has more influence on my life. Haha...

I think the attraction so far has been with the outsiders who are shaking up the political establishment. I think Jeb Bush & company would rather see Hillary win over Trump, Carson or Fiorina. I'm thinking that many people feel that at last we have another option. It may not do any good but at least it's different and up and til now---entertaining.