Less government, now.

Bill Hurme says:

If anybody in America would run on a platform of "If elected, I will do as little as possible," I would not only support them with my vote, but send them money, as well.

What brings this on? Too much activist government. Examples include the massive spending during the first year of the Obama reign; the fakery and trickery behind the so-called bi-partisan health care summit (which took place after the Democrats posted the bill they want the Republicans to support); and the administration's absolute refusal to mount a full scale, pro-growth and fiscally conservative policy for economic recovery.

Well, Bill, aren't "pro-growth" policies "activist," of which you just said you did not approve? No, because my "pro-growth" policy would be the one that has been most effective time and time again, and would require just one stroke of the pen — namely, lower the marginal tax rates on middle and upper income Americans.

Dave says:

From over here in the middle, I find, you and I aren't too far apart. And, since we're friends and business partners, I hope you'll believe that I'm not resorting to "fakery and trickery" in this assurance.

Yes, I agree that the President and his party made sure they got their stacked deck onto the table before the public heathcare confrontation. The conference was a piece of political theatre, but it didn't destroy the Republicans. They scored a few good points about healthcare reform and presented them well, especially Lamar Alexander, when they weren't replaying carps from 2008 — get over it, McCain. Obama was the only bi-partisan in the room — Pelosi and Reid showed no sign of open minds.

I'm just gonna ignore that massive first-year spending crap. I'm just gullible enough to believe all those bailouts were started by Hank Paulson. I'm not wild about Obama's first-year economic performance, but your demogogic knee's jerking.

It's good that you think government has some role to play — cutting taxes. At least you're not an anarchist. I could get behind across the board tax cuts—you know, for everybody? And we should shrink the government all we can, long as we keep those parts of the bureaucracy that ride herd on rogue stock traders, welfare scammers and anything-goes corporate abusers. Maybe we can get to this the Republican way...incrementally.

Last time: Can't we get along?

Time before that: Urban Renewal