>Paul;
>
>The problem with any political entity is typically when that body is replaced. In the case of some governments historically, this might take murdering the leader (Rome as an example). In the case of democracy we allow the voters the right to elect someone into office. You normally get the person who had the most to spend to be elected.
>

I think the money issues are part of the equation. The second part is having a likeable personality. The third is having the support of one of the major political parties.

In the U.S., people seem to have gotten to the point of voting for "the lessor of two evils" and completely ignore other candidates because they'd "just be wasting their votes". That sure sounds like the formula for success to me <g>

>The issue with a newly elected democratic government is not knowing what they will do when they take office. Perhaps they want to make peace with the world or war. Once they are in office there is little you can do to change things. You just wait for the next election and hope your candidate wins and he or she represents your viewpoint.

It's always easier to recognize your mistakes in hindsight. Too bad we can't make all of our decisions that way.