I don't have your answers, but I'd like to add a question. How are Americans supposed to feel confident about making investments or starting businesses when we're probably going to war with Iran (and it's powerful allies?) this year?

Since you placed the challenge, here is a genuine question:

Why are progressives in this state, the Northwest, and the country so ineffectual when poll after poll shows a majority of Americans <it>agree</it> with fundamental progressive/liberal positions like: protections for civil rights against increased government encroachment, affordable healthcare including government single-payer plans like Medicare without an age limit, and better protections for workers against the power of multinational corporations?

This is an honest question that came to mind when I read this quote in the 12/26/2005 article profiling John Yoo, author of the Patriot Act: "What he liked most in conservatism was 'the grounding in reason and reasonableness.'"

The question is not whether this statement is true (obviously very good counterarguments have been made), but I found myself agreeing with Yoo only to the extent that the recent election history proves that the chatter of the popular progressive community including this blog has not been perceived by the electorate as offering a comparable send of "reason and reasonable".

As already noted, the science suggests it is not the essential substance of progressive positions with which the majority disagrees. Therefore a serious alternative explanation must be how progressive voices, including the majority in this blog present themselves. And before you cite this kind of comment as "the problem", try to remember that this is in fact just an intellectual <it>dissent</it> to that same presentation from which most of the rest of the population dissents with their votes.

OK, here's my shot:

No one.

"Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. focuses on the acquisition of assets where its expertise in intensive asset management, mortgage and real estate credit analysis and financial structuring can create value." I think that means they buy bad loans really cheap.

I haven't had a problem finding it, usually at Albertson's. On the other hand, one of this year's resolutions involves less ice cream.

Because 50% of the pollution caused by a vehicle trip comes from starting the car.

Because he's holding out for the role of Iago? (best I could come up with on short notice, but this could actually be kind of fun).

Because the Laffer curve doesn't work. Great CBO analysis at this pdf.

Who knows. What's wrong with multiple voices, anyway. Even those we disagree with add to the discussion.

Absolutely. See various European and Arab nations for the poor results of doing otherwise.

Oh, something about legislative vs. administrative actions, our constitutional right to a republican form of government, and our regular opportunity to turns the bums out if we don't like the results.

God help us.

None. They are an empire, and make their own light. While we study the turning of lightbulbs, they move on the the next brightly lit room, shoot out all the bulbs, and pretend to bring light there too. (apologies to Suskind)

Not lately.

Hmpf?

I'll take on a couple of these questions -

What exactly does Fogcutter Capital do? No one cares.

What happened to Umpqua Dairy ice cream, or rather, why is it gone from the supermarkets? -- They still sell it here, probably because Central Oregon is the fastest growing part of the State, and they know their market.

Why do people in rural areas leave their Suburbans running for 10 minutes while they're chatting with the cashier at the Gas 'n Grub?

-- I haven't seen a Suburban outside of a junk yard for years, its all about Jeeps and Subaru's now - When the price of gas went over $2.00/gal, we turned our cars off - and who talks for 10 minutes? It's at least 20 unless you can't stand that person. -- Gas 'n Grub??? We're upscale now in Rural Oregon, that should read Petrol 'n Cuisine.

Should children born to illegal aliens in the United States be automatically granted U.S. citizenship? Well, how far back to you take this? How long has Tom Delay's family been over here? My ancestors were supposed to settle further south, but crashed what later became "new england" (Mayflower). So, they were illegals. I guess I should start packing. Will the Dutch take back the estimated 25 million Mayflower descendents in the US? - Or do we have to go back to England to face religious persecution?

Now for the best question - Why are progressives in this state, the Northwest, and the country so ineffectual when poll after poll shows a majority of Americans agree with fundamental progressive/liberal positions like: protections for civil rights against increased government encroachment, affordable healthcare including government single-payer plans like Medicare without an age limit, and better protections for workers against the power of multinational corporations?

We aren't ineffectual. We have lots of effects. Here's what is real - the "other side" manage to line up their people like sheep to vote in mass blocks by frightening the crap out of them. On our side, we disagree on nuances so small the other side can't see them. GW Bush is the best thing that ever happened to us, because we can finally see beyond the little stuff and grasp the big picture that our Democracy is in peril - e.g. W frightened the crap out of us. It has taken a while for some "progressives" to drop their obsession with the details - some aren't there yet - and focus on the big picture.

Now the real question is - what are you (I mean you in the singular) willing to do about the state of our Country? Having this little chat on the blog is all well and good, but what have you joined, spent money on, worked for, worked with, gone to a meeting about, traveled to, written Congress or Salem about, written a letter to the Editor about, or otherwise cared about enough to take action????

I have another one:

Why do so many middle class people with strong religious affiliations continue to believe that the Republican Party is their friend? No matter how badly the Republicans continue to screw the middle class, these people continue to vote Republican by large margins, particularly in the midwest and the south. Bush, DeLay and pals have bamboozled tens of millions of people into voting against their own self-interest by trying to paint the Democratic Party as a party who only cares about gays, abortionists, socialists and "foreigners".

Whoa, Steve, step away from the coffee. Is this really necessary?

"Now the real question is - what are you (I mean you in the singular) willing to do about the state of our Country? Having this little chat on the blog is all well and good, but what have you joined, spent money on, worked for, worked with, gone to a meeting about, traveled to, written Congress or Salem about, written a letter to the Editor about, or otherwise cared about enough to take action????"

I don't think anybody deserves to be slapped like that. Sometimes a person can ask some good questions in a guest article and that is just plenty.

If speaking up means getting slapped down.... well maybe progressives need to work on the art of listening a little better.

Who in his or her right mind would do business with Andy Weiderhorn's new compay, Fogcutter Capital?

Actually, I'd go a bit further: Why is this man allowed to own/run a business?

How do i keep the encroaching religious right(Jehovah's Witnesses) from knocking on my door saturday mornings?-Danny Haszard

Miles - You felt slapped? How did I manage to reach through the screen and do that? Perhaps if I practice, then I can do it better and more consistently.

How do i keep the encroaching religious right(Jehovah's Witnesses) from knocking on my door saturday mornings?-Danny Haszard

Call the Mormons (LDS) and let them know you are interested, but there are these Jehovah's Witnesses on your door step. -- Let them battle it out for your soul. Meanwhile, sneak out the side door and join Miles (see above) for a cup of decaf.

No I don't feel slapped Steve. Have a great year and may you advance many a progressive agenda.

[Wildly off-topic comment deleted. -Editor.]

The OJ Simpson Case.

Sorry, made a Mistake in My Email Address. This is Correct on this Post.

Mario G. Nitrini 111

What was that?! the veer into left field by 'MGN3' points up the hazards of a scatter-shot post like this, although they are thematic to New Year ruminations. I have no Persistant Questions about OJ.

I cannot accept even now that "GW Bush is the best thing that ever happened to us," although he has given us a resounding slap to the face to bring us around. The trouble with this 'best thing' is that we are (figuratively) waking up tied to a chair under a single naked bulb in an interrogation room somewhere.

Steve asks a good question: "what are you willing to do about the state of our Country?" It not a trivial matter to involve oneself the movement for political reform. We now know that the current administration has no qualms about domestic spying on a scale that can't even fit into the secret and ever-compliant FISA court. I've been vocal in my opposition to their evil schemes since the crazy Iraq Crusade was launched; I'm quite sure a long file is on my record somewhere, not that I've done anything to justify one, at least in a democractic state.

It is a serious investment in time, money, and emotional freight to get involved with the political action groups that are in the ring; well worth the effort surely! Still, there is a cost, one that was particularly weighty to me upon seeing Bush returned to office. I was active in the campaign of 2004, and was devastated. It is difficult to contemplate risking another such disappointment.

Also, I'll go 'blue note' one better:

Why do so many middle class people with strong religious affiliations continue to believe that their church has any business making the Republican Party their friend? How can they so blithely abrogate the separation of Church and State?

I made the mistake of going to a Foursquare Gospel Church service on Christmas Eve with some of their flock whom I know. I was prepared to be offended at some level and remain non-judgemental in observance of the season, but I left profoundly depressed. Their pastor made a highly politically charged sermon which put liberals firmly in the enemy camp to whom good congregants just don't want to talk, those abortion-supporters, dope-smokers, et alii that that they are. So much for peace on earth, good will towards men.

I did veer Ed. POLITICS has a LOT to do with this Case.

I don't know if you followed The OJ Simpson Case Closely, but I WILL tell you this, it is going to HEAT-UP Immensely with Legal "THINGS" going on behind the Scenes.

Mario G. Nitrini 111

Danny,

Someone once told me they told the JW that they worshipped the "other big guy" if you know what I mean.

You should be straight forward and honest and say look I'm not interested, your invading my privacy and close the door.

Josh Marquis?