Fisherdan,

while I understand your frustration, I think it's harder than that. What would you suggest as an item for them to put up to vote? Shall we have a line item vote for each item in the budget? What level of detail shall we go to? Pencils, paper clips? Shall we vote on each individual position held in government, to eliminate waste? How about a vote on each building that they occupy?

I'm not saying this to abuse you, but just to point out how hard it actually would be for a government to truely act in town hall fashion. The problem is just too big to be managed that way, which is why we have representative government. For better or worse, we're supposed to elect people who have the skills to make these decisions. I think one of the reasons we may be having troubles is that in recent years we as a nation have shown a marked aversion to hiring anyone who will take on a tough problem and make us face the hard decision. Government isn't a game of "tastes great, no it's less filling", if you know what I mean...

Ever had a boss who micro-managed you? Didn't know boo about what your job really took to do, but insisted on telling you how to do it? That's what Tim Eyeman is. I believe he neither knows, nor cares, what the state and its people may need, and he isn't interested in finding out. If he wanted to effect useful change, he would run for office, and have a good chance at making it, because of his name recognition. But he won't, because he doesn't really care. When you start bashing politicians, realize that he is one too, and one of the worst sort - the kind that doesn't give a damn what happens to the citizens at large. He's ignorant and powerful - a dangerous combination.

And if I listen to him without doing my homework, so am I.

Sorry, it's late, and I got a little bit into rant mode. Nothing aimed at you, Fisherdan, just frustrated with our little state.

Fish onwards.