>>>But Democratic politicians, who support massive centralized power in the Federal government (otherwise they wouldn't be Democrats) lust after power in a monomaniac way that just seems to set itself apart.

Your perception, of course, because you identify Dems as your enemy. Those who identify Repubs as their enemy have a symmetrical view.

Putting the Republican party plank concerning federal employees into the homeland security bill was *pure* politics. Implying that those who oppose that plank are un-American is disgusting. Daschle is right about that.

If the Republicans had any cajones they would have a dedicated federal employee bill and a national debate to go with it. I might be persuaded to support such a bill, depending on its contents.