Like a spoiled child, Florida is gonna have it's way no matter that Florida has not held an honest election since 2000. Your state gave us Bush II twice and also helped hang us all out to dry with Bill Nelson.

Florida and Michigan Democratic Party Leadership signed on to the contract vis-a-vis primary dates a long time ago. Now, both states are crying the blues saying: "Yeah, we've been bad kids" but it is more important that we be allowed to vote at the convention than to live up to a contract(designed to prevent chaos)that we agreed to.

Hate to say this Tom, but it is your State Democratic Leadership that has presented you with this conundrum. When Florida...and then Michigan...decided to break this contract, they well knew the penalties that would come with the decision. They broke the contract and now decide that the DNC is bad and Florida/Michigan is good.

After voting Republican for years, Bill Nelson took offense at the horrible insult to Florida. Did he try to solve this Florida-based problem? Naw, he sued the DNC to force the DNC to allow Florida to continue to be outlaw as to the rules they had previously agreed to.

Hey, if you wanna vote some other way or in some other party, none of us will be surprised. If you want to keep this bunch of criminals in office, so be it.

It is Florida and Michigan who are crying now. The penalties for imposing their will on 48 other states has come to roost.

You live in Florida. Gee, I'm sorry to break the news to you, but your vote down there hasn't been counted for years.

In truth, the rest of us were disappointed too. Disappointed that Florida wants to be a nation of one state. Your people broke the rules and expected to have their way. They took a chance and lost.

Live with it.

A mind once expanded can never return to its original dimensions.

Anne Hathaway: 1556-1623

The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.

Like many "Independents," and other third-Party followers, you seem to be more interested in what a political Party can do for you, than what you can do for the Party and your fellow Americans. Although it may seem trite, JFK hit the nail on the head when he stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." That is the basic Liberal Democratic grassroots approach to the meaning and spirit of our Constitution.

Politics is very much a two-way street, and you tend to get back what you put into it. Simply voting (or threatening to withhold your vote) is not enough, and is the apathetic, me first approach. This country is on the brink of fascism because We The People have allowed our elected officials (from both Parties, but especially neoconservative Gingrich-Republicans) to steal from us. We have allowed corrupt politicians to: start an unnecessary "war on terror;" to hand out no-bid contracts to their friends so they can profit from an illegal war; and, to hand-pick our candidates for us.

Until a spirit of renewed grassroots American Patriotism emerges, our current crop of professional politicians will continue to undermine our Constitution, and to pilfer our National Treasury. As it was understood and practiced during the formation of this great country, Patriotism is the everday, 24/7, act of selflessness, and the courage to speak out in every forum possible for a return to honesty, and respect for the ideals of Democracy and Freedom.

And to answer your last question, one of the two mainstream political Parties WILL control the Executive and/or Legislative Branches of our government -- so, yes, a Party affiliation is important if you want your voice to be heard. "Independents," Greens, Libertarians, and other fringe Parties have absolutely no voice in our day-to-day governence either before, or after, Election Day.

"THE PARTY WITH THE BEST RECORD OF SERVING REPUBLICAN ECONOMIC VALUES IS THE DEMOCRATS, AND IT ISN’T EVEN CLOSE!" -Michael Kingsley-

1). FEDERAL SPENDING: since 1960 Republicans increased Federal Spending by 71% more than have Democrats

2). FEDERAL DEBT: since 1960 Republicans have increased the National debt by 100% more per year than have Democrats.

3). GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: since 1921, adjusted for inflation, Democrats outproduce Republicans by 43% . Starting in 1940 the Democratic advantage is 23% better.

4). REAL PER CAPITA INCOME: since 1960 Democrats have outperformed Republicans by 30%. (This is perhaps the most important economic statistic of all)

5). INFLATION: since 1960, Democrats outperform Republicans 3.13% to 3.89%

6). UNEMPLOYMENT: since 1960 it decreases in an average Democratic year by 0.3% to 5.33%, and increases in average Republican year by 1.1% to 6.38%.

7). JOB CREATION: from 1945 to 2003, Democrats produced 174,200 jobs per month, Republicans have only produced 60,600 per month. Every time a Democrat succeeds a Republican, job creation soars. Every time a Republican succeeds a Democrat job creation plummets. NO EXCEPTIONS!

8). DOW JONES AVERAGE: since 1921 the DOW has increased by 52% more under Democratic administrations

9). THE BOND MARKET: since 1940 the value of 10 year Treasury bonds rose 1.2% under Democrats and fell 0.5% under Republicans

SOURCES-Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic Policy Institute, Christian Science Monitor, "The Los Angles Times -Michael Kingsley-

by mike kohr 3/7/2006

RESULTS MATTER, VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

the florida delegation should be seated as both leading candidates names was on the ballot and neither of them appeared in florida to plug their candicy

in michigan it should be another primary with both names on the ballot    hard to believe that is cost 25 million for doing the primary       poll workers volunteer the time at the polls   ballots can be printed from a copy machine at the registrars office

though rules were broken in both states I belive that new hampshire also moved their primary date and nothing was done or said about that

the whole thing is beginning to smell

I don't have anything against Florida.  There are some fine people who live there, one of the moderators included - and her wonderful husband...but I gotta tell you this:  I don't give one rat's ass.

Now I'll tell you why:  Florida's voting problems helped usher Bush into office.  IMHO, Florida should have lost at least some of its electoral clout in the '04 elections because of all the minorities disenfranchised in 2000.  Maybe it's just four years too late.

In any event, maybe Floridians know what it feels like to go to the polls for nothing.  In my case, just because of one state that decided the whole shooting match...

There are "Blue-Dog Democrats"

How bout "Progressive Democrats" 

I'm also disappointed with Democrats but they are clearly the best of 2!

How bout 3?