>Mark,
... (Now I've also come to the point in life, where I don't think there's much we can do about this, so I make the best of it!)

Vote, and vote often! :-) As much as the media and politicians talk about low voter turn-out, the pol's could care less as long as they get the most votes. At least Gary Condit's [Democrat] district had the sence to defeat him. Here in Texas, Dick Armey's son [Republican] lost his bid to take over his father's seat in the House of Reps. Everyone thought he would be a slam-dunk winner because of his father's influence. So, regardless of your party affiliation, there is hope that some things will change. I am a firm believer that the most effective change that any of us can affect is on the local level especially in school board and city hall elections. It is these particular entities that have the most affect on our lives and especially our children's lives. Get informed on who is governing the bureaucracy that has the biggest influence on our children, our homes and our neighborhoods.