I typically stay away from political discussions.  Why?  Because today's politics seems to be rooted more in emotions than in logic.  I try to make decisions, especially important decisions, on truth and logic instead of emotions.  Emotional debates and commentary on politics has the curious effect of both boring and frustrating me at the same time.  Be forewarned the following post has truth and logic in it!  If you like to base your decisions on the same criteria as I do then read on and discover some surprising information about our candidates for President.  If you don't then please ignore this post and come back another day when I will be sure to talk about mundane topics like iPhone headsets and novel writing programs.  Topics that will surely upset no one. A tip of the hat to my brother who sent me this link via email.  Mr. Garrett (?) makes an eloquent case for an active populace when it comes to politics.  So much so that his blog post inspired me to write this post.  He encourages America to wake up and see the truth about the housing collapse, about democrats and liberals, and about our ever eroding freedoms.  I will add to his words an admonition to stop believing what television tells you and research things for yourself.  So often strong, emotional opinions are formed on little more than a cursory understanding of a biased news report.  A report that probably lasted all of 30 seconds.  Instead I urge you to look at the record for yourself.  Look at what people have done instead of what they say they've done.  Allow me to prove my point.  The news media is currently saying the economic downturn was caused by Bush and the Republican's economic policies.  Specifically they showcase the Democrats who blame the housing collapse on the Republicans.  However, if you look back a couple of years you can find out the true cause of the housing collapse. In 2004 the US Senate received a report from the Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight regulators outlining cronyism, huge payoff's to lawmakers, spurious accounting practices, and, most importantly, serious problems in the types of home loans being approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  See the video below for excerpts from C-Span's coverage of the hearing.  Notice how the Republicans were asking for tighter regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac where as the Democrats were bullying the regulator's and demanding that Fannie and Freddie be allowed to continue operating without any additional controls.  Also note that Franklin Raines, the Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae and the one defending his questionable accounting practices et al, is the same man Obama has chosen as his economic adviser.  Look at the truth before you, use logic and common sense, and then tell me that Barrack Obama is the right choice in these troubling economic times.  I dare you. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs - Sean P.S.  In 2005 Senator John McCain introduced legislation that would have tightened the regulations on Fannie and Freddie.  The legislation he proposed would have averted the current financial crisis we are dealing with.  His proposed legislation was shot down by the Democrats.