Disengaged Politicians

I would also add that many politicians ignore science or flat out deny it.  And those that do accept the results of scientific research often don't evaluate it correctly.

Interests or preferences?
November 10, 2012

by Norman Geras

"But it's not just the voters that politicians are distant from. On fiscal policy, tax policy and - especially - immigration, politicians are as disengaged from experts as they are from voters."

USDA Regulations force a popular food entrepreneur to close its doors.

Baylen Linnekin | November 10, 2012

 "In August, the USDA imposed additional requirements on Il Mondo Vecchio’s production methods. After two months of sharing information and collaboration back and forth between Il Mondo Vecchio and the USDA as well as various attempts to modify the production methods," the owners announced, "Il Mondo Vecchio has determined that the impact of the regulatory requirements on dry cured sausage products was detrimental to the quality of the product and therefore, Mark and Gennaro are forced to close the[ir] doors."

"“The standards for meat inspection are obviously set up for large scale industrial operations and protocols designed for plants that cannot and do not pay close attention to what goes into their products,” says Prof. Ken Albala, a salumi-obsessed professor of history at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California"

Americans in 6 states vote to nullify unconstitutional acts

Posted: November 9th, 2012 by Militant Libertarian
from 10AC

"Voters in Alabama, Montana, and Wyoming all passed measures guaranteeing health care freedom, despite federal mandates in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Massachusetts voters defied federal law and approved a measure to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. And in Washington and Colorado, they took it a step further, decriminalizing pot completely."

The Dawn of Hope: Time for GOP Soul Searching on Why it Failed

Posted: November 9th, 2012 by Militant Libertarian
by Judy Morris

"the Republican Party is disintegrating because it literally has 3 factions that do not peacefully co-exist: 1. the New England styled Rockefeller big government Republicans 2. the social conservatives who tend to only vote their so-called intolerant values and 3. the spirited assortment of Tea Party reformers, Libertarians, Ron Paul supporters, Independents and other fed up conservative voting blocks"

Great article, I can't quote the whole thing.
 
Why Mitt Romney Lost—and the GOP Will Continue to Lose 
The party's message is confused, contradictory, and unconvincing.

Nick Gillespie | November 9, 2012

"That’s because the GOP, despite its endlessly repeated mantra of limited government, is wildly out of touch with the majority of Americans who consistently say they want the government to do less, spend less, and not enforce a single set of values."

Chuck Schumer Thinks the Deficit Should Pay for Sandy Damage

J.D. Tuccille Nov. 9, 2012 12:48 pm

"Senator Charles Schumer, who thinks the tab for the damage left by Hurricane Sandy should be picked up by the federal government and charged to the deficit, that extraordinary treasure chest of boundless wealth."

"Sen. Schumer isn't the only politician to think the deficit is the equivalent of an infinite bank vault. Rep. Tom DeLay had the same idea when it came to paying for Hurricane Katrina."

The recent election has left me feeling that out of a population of 310 million Americans, we could have had much better options that the two candidates that were provided to us by Democrats and Republicans.  The number of us who define themselves as independent or a member of another political party is growing.  I believe this is a result of a growing portion of the populace who feel the government should be more fiscally responsible (fewer entitlements and wars) and stop trying to social engineer its population (stop telling me what I can or can't do with my own body).  Neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican party seem to want to embody both of these ideas consistently across the political spectrum of issues.  For instance when it comes to choice, the Democrats claim they are for choice, but only when it comes to abortion and not when it comes to things like schools or vice versa for Republicans.  And so, we're left to vote for someone who isn't close to getting elected or picking the lesser of two bad options.

The media is overwhelmingly biased, their arguments leap to conclusions to support their opinions report the facts. I feel I must lend my voice to the chorus that is clamoring for something different, even if no one is listening to me just yet.

My goal is to see a solid 3rd candidate on the stage by the next presidential election.  This needs to be someone who is more than just a candidate that's described as taking away votes from one of the two main party candidates but someone who is a real contender.  Not sure how this will happen just yet but I'm going to start trying to figure out what I can do to make it happen.