...simply opt out of the voting process. In a democracy, that seldom works.

Am I happy with the lack of progress in Congress since the Democrats took over in the mid-term elections? No.

Is there an explanation for the lack of progress of any kind since the Democrats took over the majority? I suppose the answer could be maybe--threat of filibuster by the opponents, presidential veto, etc. But if there actually were any statesmen or stateswomen in leadership positions in the Congress, the answer to that question would also be NO.

On a question of whether things might get better with the Democrats gaining a greater majority--particularly a veto-proof majority in the Senate--maybe there's hope. We'll find out soon enough. It might be the first time in decades that the President and both houses of Congress were all controlled by the same party. If nothing gets done then, I don't know what the answer might be...a coups?...a benevolent dictatorship?

As far as the presidential candidates are concerned, we should all listen and understand what their plans are, what their campaign platforms are. Then all we can hope for is that they are truthful. That would be unlike our current President who campaigned on one platform and then reversed direction and narrowed his focus to only a few of his personal ideologies, totally ignoring and failing to provide leadership to resolve any of the other glaring problems facing our country. If that happens again with either of the current presidential candidates, I will be deeply saddened and frustrated beyond any ability to express by feelings.

The ship of state changes direction very, very slowly...almost imperceptably. I hope and pray that a change of direction in the governance of our country is actually underway and I just haven't been able to see it.