Why is this important now? perhaps because we are about to run a candidate who takes great pride in his ability to "reach across the aisle" and enact bi-partisan legislation (sound familiar?). And this is particularly important because some of the greatest dangers to this country's economic interests are looming on the horizon. These would be global warming and the proposed responses to it and the continued corruption in Congress (read earmarks). There is little doubt that McCain will be worthless on the first issue but may be a true champion for conservatism on the latter.

The main thing to remember is that working with the Democrats has been pretty difficult for the past seven years. They continue to block consideration of federal judgeship nominees in all cases except those favored by Democrats, even after the sleazy "compromise" involving Judge Helene White. This is how cooperation works with these Democrats. There is only a one-way street, here, and it will bankrupt our future to go down it!

While we are suffering through high energy prices and a slow economy, these idjits want to take drastic, unproven and ill-considered action on "climate change", certain to raise (drastically) energy costs and stifle economic growth! They want to do exactly the wrong thing every time!

Consider the "culture of corruption" in Congress-a bi-partisan condition, if there ever was one. When the Democrats succeeded in slapping the "corrupt" label onto Republicans, and rode that wave into the majority in Congress, they promised a more transparent government and an end to corruption. How's that first one hundred days thing working out for ya, Speaker Pelosi? Now look at the earmarking behavior of our current crop of Congresscritters. Earmarks continue to explode as never before and those who try to hold the line are shunned by both parties. Why? Because the earmarks are a power-holding, job security issue with these thugs.

While every other candidate for President-including Ron Paul-requested earmarks and participated in this corrupt but ho-hum, routine process, John McCain is the lone standout. In fact, Senator McCain has not won a single earmark in the spending bills. His campaign proudly claims he has never requested an earmark and he openly campaigns to end this sleazy practice. Now, I am no John McCain supporter but this is one thing he talks about that I can get behind!

I would like to caution Mr. McCain, though, that he may need to remember the way the last "uniter" was treated before he thinks "reaching across the aisle" for legislation is the way to go. Perhaps it is the political climate that needs the most  change, after all.