The reason they've stayed in office for so long is the same issue I spoke about the other day. The Marching Moron syndrome.

People will vote for idiots, because that's all they think their options consist of.
People allow politicians to do stuff they shouldn't be allowed to do, because they don't think about it. They don't write and tell them what idiots they are.
Probably because they don't believe it will make any difference.

Any form of government, allowed to run unchecked, will inevitably decline into corruption and graft. Ours is no different. The only thing we have going for us is that in order for people to make money, they need the economy to stay strong.

I overheard the World News (I think..sunday morning radio) talking about what the FBI will be doing differently, and I loved the comment about how now agents can make the decision to, if they think it will stop terrorism, go stand in a mosque (or wherever) in their shiny black shoes and black suits, and expect their simple presence to deter or disrupt terrorist activity.
Well, I suppose that could work, but maybe we should make sure they are easily identified as FBI agents by giving them some nice collar pins with FBI in silver. Or maybe just a couple lightning bolts, signifying our rapid response to terrorism?

_{*Wonders when Homeland will be seeing this and stopping by for a visit. ;)*}