You cannot speak for all Americans. I am an American and I do not want the center. I stand for strong conservative values. We are headed down a socialist road. I pray for this country. We have lost our way. We have betrayed our founding fathers. This is not what they had in mind.

tloapo, you are absolutely correct except that the Constitution IS the very center, a beautiful balance between total government control and anarchy. See my post above. A great book about the truth of this country's founding is "The 5,000 Year Leap"... read it and you'll understand why this country became the world leader and is now in the midst of decline. It shines a huge spotlight on the direction the democrat party is going!

Except that the constitution is NOT actually in the center of current American politics. It is way to hte right of what we see as "centrist" today.

Yes, the constitution is actually in the middle of the center and anarchy. As close to Anarchy as you can get without having anarchy. That is why it is so important for people to have a strong moral compass. People get this wrong in the fact that moral compass comes from within and govt control comes from without. oppression vs. self discipline. The Founders wanted to have as much Freedom as possible to seek happiness without infringing on another's freedoms.

Maybe HE will as soon ans Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter go away!

Respected by who? War-mongering, gun-toting racists?

You are out of your mind!!! Rush Limbaugh is an out spoken racist who more than likey wears his white sheet when no one is looking. You are crazy or probably a racist just like them both if you agree with them. It is a shame that we are in 2009 and we still have closed minded people such as yourself and your idols Rush and Dick! Shameless!!

demgirl09 - Seems like you are the close minded one dismissing Richard Ayer's opinion as shameless! Look in the mirror, hypocrit.

You are obviously a Democrat and by commenting on an article about Rep., u are only here to start arguments.

However, Rush is not a racist, and YOU are the idiot if you think he is. He is a right wing conservative, with whom I often disagree, but nothing more. Colin Powell is more racist than Rush after he votes for color over party. And your a misguided fool if you don't think the liberal left has their share of left wing versions of Rush (K. Olberman anyone......). Grow up.

D. Flick,

Because Colin Powell voted for Pres. Obama he is a racist because they are both Black? With Limbaugh, Cheney and YOUR reasoning, I guess that means (proves?) this country was founded by racist since EVERY white president (that's 43 of them) was voted by racist whites, and racist browns, and racist blacks, and racist yellows who elected them?

Demgirl,

would you care to back up your claim about Rush being racist with a quote or example......? I guess not because you don't know spit about what you are saying. You're just spouting democrat talking points, and if I were Rush, I'd kick your A$$ if you said that kind of stuff about me

OOps -- I didn't realize, kid, that parties were more important than ideals. Personally, I'd stick with Colin because his principles are stronger than his party affiliation.

Well, Michelle - Ideals are more important than parties, but I guess race is more important than both? Obviously Powell thinks so. I guess Racism trumps idealism.... sad, so sad.

Powell may have principles but they are not the principles that are outlined in the Constitution! His idea that people want more taxes and services from the federal government are the opposite of 'Constitutional'!! The federal government's powers are very limited by the Constitution and all other powers are left to the state and community governments. Every state is supposed to be a sovereign state, tied together by the federal Constitution to create an entirely 'new' form of self government. THAT is Constitutional, and what made the US become what it is/was... before those wanting less personal responsibility took it down the path we're on today. Limbaugh is NOT a racist in any way, but Obama is president because of race. The writings of the Founding Fathers state that the leaders MUST have extensive experience showing they are the most capable people in the nation. They also state that serving in the government is NOT to be a way to gain power or wealth, but to be a time of 'service'. Washington set the example when people wanted him as 'king' but he refused and stepped down after 2 terms because he had 'served'. Not until FDR did we have a person in that office who considered himself above Washington. Since then, every democrat president has been more interested in personal gain than anything else.

Keep it up JB! You're doing GREAT !

I feel you are so right that Obama is president only because of race. It is evident it is not because of allegence to American's or he would not be running all over the world apologizing for all the help American's have helped the world. He would not be bowing to a Saudi King to kiss his ring. Obama would not be flying over ground ZERO assimilating another terrorist attack scaring 8 million people.

I heard an interview with numerous black people during the boughten election and they didn't even know Obama's running mate was NOT a woman they agreed when asked if they thought it was OK that Obama"s choice was a woman as Vice Pres. the black people being interview said that's OK. The blacks didn't even have a clue!! They voted strickly on race kind of a power thing not an intelligent thing.

Collin Powell what a joke and we had faith in that flake. Now he thinks he can jump back and forth LOL Only the blacks have faith in him now he already proved to us what failure he is too bad the President had so much faith in him in the beginning to see what a flake Collin Powell is.DUH Powell you endorse another party that's your baby.

How can Obama be President only because of his race? After all, only 15% of the country is black, so where did his other votes come from? Your argument doesn't hold water. Black people have been voting overwhelmmingly democratic for the past 50 years, so why should they change their vote just because Obama was running? Answer that please.

Hey, denofwolves - Are you forgetting something? It was Colin Powell who put the cards of the table about Iraq and how about the Democrats in Congress who repeatedly and without fail endorsed going into Iraq? And, it was the Democrats in Congress who passed laws dealing with housing for everyone? Do you remember any of that or are you and the Bush haters just needing to hide your heads in the sand? You ain't seen nothing yet under Obama - he is like a kid in college with a new credit card - falling all subjects but having a blast using his Dad's finances.

I've listened to Limbaugh for several years (a decade at least) and although I don't always agree, I think he's the conscience of America. Go, Rush !!!

I agree. He's spent more money in four months than W spent the entire eight years. W was handed a political hot potato -- the banking crisis was not of his making but he's being blamed. Obama will not last.

Amen. Colin Powell appears to be an honest person, who got caught up in Bush/Cheney lies to the public about Iraq and all. He's alright with me. Bush and Cheney lied to us all of the time.

w harrington....You're right. No one has even begun to see the worst of it yet! Obama is making things much worse! He's completely out of control and most Dem's don't even see it happening right in front of their own eyes. As for myself and most of my Dem friends, we've all jumped ship and are now frantically swimming to the other side....far right center!!! We don't want more govt, we don't want socialized medicine, and we don't want more of our money and jobs going overseas when so many hard-working, blue-collared americans are doing without!

Finally, someone who made a competant remark! I am so tired of of all the "Bush-Haters"! They are unintellegent, inarticulate and extremely uneducated! No one who has a brain would ever have voted for Obama! The people who DID are like lemmings who follow their leader into the ocean and drown. They allow the Hollywood Elite and TV TalkShow Hosts to guide their opinions, yet when you ask any one of them to actually put their finger on WHY they voted for Obama, they can't tell you! There is some flat, across the board answer of "change". Yeah, well we got THAT alright! We are now being lead by a man who has no use for God, for Prayer, for the Un-born, OR for the Constitution of the United States! (and these are just a few Republican Values that he has made mockery of). The Republican Party has ALWAYS stood for morals, ethics and the rights of every American to live the way our Fore-Fathers intended. Yes, there are those (republicans and others), who have used their God-Given Agency to make unethical and poor choices. We don't turn our backs on them, just as God does not turn His back on us! We live in the choicest nation above ALL others. There are many places in the world where just writing about the Government will land you in jail, or your family to be put to death! Our Country doesn't have perfect record on Civil Rights, either! The Slave Trade, The Native Americans, The Mormons, The Irish-Catholics, The Jews: ALL of these groups of people have been persecuted in our Country at one time or another in our history. (and there are others) However, we have come a long way! When you look back at the progress that has been made.......it is NOT the Democratic Party who took a hold of the Civil Rights of these groups! Martin Luther King was a Republican! Abraham Lincoln: A Republican! Come on, people! Get an education and a LIFE !

You all forget that Colin Powell worked for Bush and was just following his orders, Like the lemmings that you are talking about. When he found out that Bush was wrong, he resigned. I think you people need to check all of your facts before you speak. The congress was controlled by Republicans. How quickly we forget, but I guess that makes it more convenient for you to make a case and feel good about yourselves?

Don't put all of us "Bush Haters" in one basket. I for one am more informed than most of the people that supported Bush during his destruction of our country's economy and erosion of the very values that not only make America great, but make America what our forefathers intended. Powell left the Bush administration because he realized the mistake he made by making Bush & Cheney's case at the UN for invading Iraq. I actually had supported the decision to go into Iraq based on the case that the Bush administration had made, only to find out that the case for war was a fabrication. How long are we supposed to support a President and his administration that basically lied to us? Powell left the GOP only AFTER the GOP took leave of it's good senses- You know- when they started an unnecessary war and spent us into oblivion. And yes, the market crash is Bush's fault. He had 8 years to see the problem and fix it before it crashed, he was just hoping it would fall on the next President's watch. They knew it was coming and did nothing.

Denofwolves... when Powell found that Bush wan't doing what Powell wanted, he left. What Powell wanted is what BO is now doing, which is directly opposed to the Constitution. Bush didn't do nearly as much 'wrong' as he did right... the democrats in congress have done, and are now doing, more harm to this country by far. People need to read the writings of the Founding Fathers and then look in the mirror and feel the shame of what we've let this country descend to. The Constitution IS the center! The republican party is to the left of center and the democrats are almost clear to the total governmental control on the left that the Founding Fathers warned would be the destruction of the country and Constitution. Those being attacked as 'conservative extremists' understand the Constitution and what this country has been, and can again become, if we follow it's guidelines. Of course the Constitution is designed for a "moral and virtuous people." Those without morals or the character required by the Constitution will not follow the ideals of that 'piece of paper'. Most of those people consider themselves democrats... except for some like Colin Powell.

Pat Burr....Right on. You are one of the few to see through the garbage that these other people are spewing.

Are you serious? THE ENTIRE WORLD knew what was going on in Iraq and no one did a thing about it ! WE had to be attacked on our own soil before WE did anything about it!Yes, there ARE ties between Bin Laden's Afghanistan and Iraq! That intelligence was NOT fabricated! America is a target of the extreme Muslim Terrorists!(no matter WHAT country they're from) Just like the Holocust in Germany, the tragedies in Darfur, Rowanda, etc. etc. etc. etc. WE CANNOT ignore what Dictators and Tyrants are doing! I respect Col. Powell. I do not agree with him, but I respect his service and his right to his opinions. I also respect Dick Cheney. I haven't always agreed with him.either. John McCain? Come On! What an amazing example of service to his country! Guess what? I don't always agree with him either!However, I can say that McCain more closely represents how I feel about the country and where it's heading. He doesn't want torture, because he WAS tortured. I think that sometimes we have to do what it takes to get information that will keep Americans and the rest of the World, safe from extremists.

Let's get to the "lying" President..........were you talking about Clinton?

Please provide evidence of how Iraq was involved in 9/11 - the 9/11 commission said Iraq was not involved. Are you saying they are wrong and what evidence do you have to back this claim?

Please, do you think harrington that Powell would have voted for Al Sharpton? If you believe Powell voted for Obama just because he was black, geez louise, you sure are missing something in the equation.

Oh please, don't go there, w harrington. Powell would have been criticized, regardless of who he chose support. You among others are criticizing him for choosing a candidate on the sole premise of race. If he supported McCain, he would have been equally as criticized for being "predictable" or a "sell-out". It didn't matter who he chose.

Frankly, if Powell does leave the GOP, I won't be surprised. They are becoming far to polarized for a lot of people's tastes. Balance, people!

You are right about Both Presidents Bush being good men! History will someday be kinder to them and ony time will tell what real good they were able to accomplish. (as long as the dems don't "screw it up")

As for Powell, well.............

WAKE UP, PEOPLE!!! It's NOT the parties, it's the CONSTITUTION... because THAT is what the US is supposed to be about! Powell is against the Constitution, just as 98% of the congress and all the administration and several on the Supreme Court! People didn't come here to be in a political party! They came here for the personal freedom that the Constitution outlined. As this country became more immoral, it has lost it's way and is in the process of going over the same cliff that destroyed other countries. This is supposed to be a country governed 'of, by and for' the people... not by parties or the 'elite'. The leaders of this country are required, for this to work, to be the best and to have proved themselves through experience and leadership. That is definitely NOT who is in power, administration or congress, now... nor has been for many years.

Zorro, you can believe whatever you want to, but if you listened to and watched Powell over the last year, there can be no doubt that he placed race above all else. This whole election was about 'making history' by electing a mulatto... no matter that his real world experience and thinking skills were totally lacking. The US and the world will pay a huge price for putting appearance above substance. I don't think McCain was a good choice for president, either, but at least he isn't run by the Chicago mob and terrorists.

Name the mob and terrorists President Obama is controlled by but since you want to go there many have said the Bush Family are control by Saudi's and the Bush family have been involved with mob.

OK, Rex, time for you to look up the definition of fascism. Start with government control of privately held companies. Does GM, Chrysler, AIG and a host of banks ring a bell?

They were given our taxpayer money under an agreement with the government, then that agreement was unilaterally changed by Geithner and Obama. Then when they tried to pay the money back, they were told they could not do so because the government did not want to relinquish the control it had established. Fit the definition? Spot on.

Then Obama decided to interfere with with the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler, strongarming secured creditors to accept less than unsecured creditors (unions) who had been a primary cause in bankrupting the companies in the first place and giving control of the companies to the unions. Secured creditors were told if they did not roll over, the Obama team would destroy their financial future (more than 1 witness to the threats). This is a violation of RICO laws, interferes with the perogatives of the judicial branch and flies in the face of established law. Think this fits the definition? Spot on.

We know who the fascists are.

As for Bush causing the economic problems, he has some responsibility for allowing too much spending and not forcing Barney Frank and his ilk to stop the problems at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. You do know that Barney said there's no problem at those lenders, don't you? You do know that the banks were forced to make faulty loans by laws signed by Carter and Clinton, don't you? You do know that Barney's buddy Franklin Raines took over $100 million dollars out of Fannie Mae, don't you? You do know that Barney Frank and the Democrats fought viciously to block reforms that would have averted the housing market crisis that is the main driver in the current economic recession, don't you?

Please do at least a little independent research before you embarrass yourself further.

Way to say it, Lee! I love how the"Bush-haters" and fear mongerers don't check out the facts before they start spouting their mantras! They just repeat everything they hear in the Obama-media and from the lips of their divine Hollywood Icons!

republicans have always been party first country second.goodby gop you are a tired old party and you are on the way out.

Another Voice of Reason! I see I am not the only one who sees the hatred coming from the "left". It seems that the only way they can express themselves is with vulgarity. This is truly a sign of the uneducated!

Where was all this indignation when we had a President who was sleeping around, lying to the country, allowing terrorism to go unpunished, and more interested in giving homes to people who couldn't afford to pay them back, just so he could say things like "we have more homeownership than ever before".

Oh, and that "surplus" that everyone is always talking about, that the country had when he left office.........do you not remember who controlled Congress at the time? THE REPUBLICANS!

The main source of hatred that I'm seeing is coming from the GOP. You need to get your information from multiple sources and be informed of the facts. Faux news and Rush Limbaugh do not count as a real news source because they are simply propaganda machines that are financed by the GOP & big business. The surplus was do to good economic times, and it was frittered away by the GOP. Not only that, if we are talking about good business- Bush signed in the China free trade agreement in early 2001. How is it good business sense to give away our manufacturing (and thereby our National Security) to a communist country that is also our enemy? This was done by the same guys that tried to sanction the sale of our ports to the United Arab Emirates just after 911 2001. How smart is that? Part of the reason our economy is crumbling is because of the decline in US manufacturing which is a direct result of the China Free Trade Agreement. Think about these things a while. The GOP is basically bought and paid for by International Mega Corporations that really don't give a crap about you and me or our jobs, or for America for that matter. They only see Americans as consumers and a dollar sign for them.

Pat Burr, you and others are fond of saying that the Republicans spew hate, but never seem to have an example, such as the democrats running ads that specifically stated that Republicans wanted to push old people down stairs, starve children and other vulgarities. The name calling, from racists to corporate whores, come from the Democrat side. Just read the posts here that are so full of invective with no facts cited.

The truth is that the average Republican donates more money to charity, by far, than the average Democrat, both in terms of total dollars and percent of income. And I don't ever recall a Republican president trying to claim a tax credit for donating used underwear to Goodwill as Clinton did. Do you?

And please take a look at the average incomes of republicans versus democrats before you respond. Also look at who the wealthiest people in the world (Gates, Soros, etc.) support. Here's a hint: it isn't republicans.

Next take a look at which party it was that 1) rid the country of slavery, and 2) forced the 1964 Civil Rights Act when the controlling party in the south, abetted by the KKK, opposed it. Here's a hint: it wasn't democrats.

And when you have finished that little task, please undertake to explain how you can spend your way out of debt.

And then look at the tax system that has approximately 50% of the population paying no tax at all while receiving largess from productive Americans. Explain to me how that is sustainable as an economic system.