Aticama, I agree with you regarding McCain. Time to retire but he is a hero and like you, I cannot even imagine what he went through while being truly tortured by the North Vietnamese. Now, to the moment. He should retire with dignity. He ran as a moderate and there is a world of difference between "moderate" and conservative. As a party, he ran, many of us sat it out and we got BHO. The most left wing nut job ever to win the White House. What do you think of Van Johnson and all the other Czars? This does not have the feel of America! It has to stop.

GWYN, I agree with your post up to the point where you want to keep McCain. Then sadly I have to agree with Knapp. McCain in not conservative. He is a "moderate" Republican. That is he is a RINO. I held my nose and voted for him because Sara Palin entered the race. Until her entry I was torn between voting for him and sitting out the race. It would have been the first time in a kazillion years that I did not vote for a President. Well, Sara entered, she ignited a large chuck of the Conservative base like me and I voted. Many Republicans sat it out. Hence, Obama! Moderate, liberal Republicans, RINO's, whatever you want to call them, they will not win elections. They are too much like Democrats. Good post---except McCain. Keep posting. That is just my opinion.

Aticama, thanks for your explanation and history. What a sad story. If I understood it correctly your wife is in Mexico and she can't come back because of American law? And you are an American citizen? Is that correct? Is there any way you can get her back here and not have to wait 10 years? Can any elected politicians help you? That is one of the reasons they are elected and part of their job. If we citizens have a problem with bone headed government they are supposed to be there to assist. Regarding you post about the liberal writer above: Most liberals don't get it yet and most politicians that are liberal don't get it. You were at the Tea Party. You and I and others on this board saw the make up of crowd and if you follow t.v., mostly Fox, and you watch the rally's you will see that these are real authentic Americans defending our country. We are not scripted, we are real and we are concerned for our country. We are tired of intrusive, out of control government. I've been to 4 tea parties. These are real people, not paid, not scripted. We are just fed up. Take care. I wish I could say I could help but don't know what I could do. I am just starting to get involved into politics in an active way. This administration, and prior administrations have really made a mess of almost everything they touched. Keep posting. God Bless American and our people.

Aticama, your above post is one of the best I've read. You nailed the abuse of government. Being a curious guy, what does your handle stand for? I am not a real imaginative guy so I use a simple handle. Great post. Great background information. I am totally impressed.

We are not plants. I've never been to a politically rally in my life prior to the Tea Parties. Most of my friends are the same. I take time from work, at my own expense, to attend these events. This country is going in the wrong direction in my opinion. Otherwise, I would be at work. And fishing on weekends instead of attending political events. I don't really like standing out at events with the temperatures around 100 degrees and high humidity. Not my idea of a great day. I consider it a necessary day for our country. Yea, I attended the Sacramento Tea Party event. The first and second. And others that will follow. This country is going toward Socialism, perhaps worse.