Change is the obvious buzz word for this year's presidential campaign and all of the candidates are talking about change, trying to impress us with all the change that they've brought about for us.  The only apparent change any of them have truly brought us would resemble the changing of the guard in the old sheep dog and coyote cartoons.  In one particular the coyote wears a sheep dog disguise.  "Morning Ralph.  Morning Fred."  They greet at the time clock, but the sheep dog knows there's something wrong.  After he pummels him the coyote returns to his old devices to try and get a hold of one of those coveted sheep.  That is an accurate depiction of the presidential process.   Each of the candidates gets to wear their own sheep dog costume and tell us what they are going to do for us.  We sit and listen, some of us sheep even try to help the coyotes in their efforts once we understand that this coyote is going to really make a difference.   Now don't get me wrong there is not another better process in the world for electing a leader, but that doesn't change the way they try to disguise themselves.  And in fairness, all of the candidates do want change and dollars and whatever else you are willing to part with on their behalf.  And on some level all of those contributions have to be repaid only to the highest contributors so none of my friends will have to worry about being paid back. And those pay backs to friends, lobbyists and other large contributors stand in the way of real change for the country.  All of those interests have to be placated and since those are usually from large businesses some of them are counterproductive to what the individuals in this country need.  Will we ever see real change that is directed towards fixing education/healthcare/social security/tax issues?   We may, but the change will be financially beneficial to the controlling powers that be whether that is Senators/CEO's/ or Lobbyists in order for real change to take place.  If the change also happens to be beneficial to the average American then and only then will our interest truly be considered.  The winds of change are blowing and I am sure that means more of my change will be leaving my pockets and heading towards theirs.  And whether Democrat or Republican is elected that change will be found in one of their pockets.  Some times the pocket on the LEFT is full of the change, and sometimes its on the RIGHT.  But either way the change is coming, I mean going and it won't stop until it gets to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.   And for the next four years we will be filling those pockets.                               

In watching the debate tonight on Fox News Channel I was struck by the fact that these guys really are good with parsing of words.  Of course to come this far in any national election one would need to be, but the fact that we as Americans accept this and try to find some truth in it is quite amazing.  The subject of immigration of course came up and all offered some opinion as to what to do with the "illegal" immigrants that currently reside here in our fine country.  The 2 million that have committed a CRIME must be deported, was the common understanding.  And I guess that my understanding must be challenged on this particular issue.  Would the fact that they are here illegally constitute a crime of sorts?  So then I guess if that it's not a crime to be here illegally than maybe leaving them here or granting them citizenship doesn't mean amnesty either.  And of course I am not certain that the answer can be easily decided upon, but one thing is clear it won't be solved in the next president's term no matter who it is.