>>>Keep in mind that sooner or later, with enough money and time, the missile defense system will be actually built, and it will work. End of the story. A new entitlement--which I do not believe is actually necessary except to consolidate the grip of the government on the most reliable voting group in America--will drain the treasury for a hundred years, and never get smaller. This is something that should be considered when comparing the two programs.

This is not correct. You think it costs nothing to maintain a missile defense system? This will be huge to maintain. They are talking ground-based, space-based, and sea-based components. Global coverage.

>>>Yeah, yeah. The Democrats have a patent on the Bleeding Heart. See? It says so right on the label. Only they do things out of compassion. etc.

You assert that Democrats deliberately groom a dependent voter block. I disagree. I won't match you assertion for assertion on this one. Maybe someone more fond of lost causes will chime in and debate with you.

>>>Besides, the original subject was that the national situation has evolved to the point so that only American misfortune can get the Democrats back in power, and I stand by that.

Thanks for summarizing! I did get a bit lost trying to figure out what all you were getting at with your quiz questions.

As to the content of your premise, I think it's a bit short-sighted. There are always swings in popularity from one to the other party. And the parties continually reinvent themselves to enhance this natural process. The American public has not decided that we only need one party and it's the Republicans. Misfortune is not the only thing that can sway public opinion from the Republicans.

Every party in power needs to keep in mind that age old question that voters will ask themselves: "Am I better off than I was 4 years ago?" I wish that voters were more interest in questions like: "In the last 4 years, has America behaved in a way that makes me proud?", or "In the last 4 years have assaults against my personal freedoms been permitted?" or "In the last 4 years has the country done a good job of matching its income with its expenses?"

Ahh well! We have to work with what is available.