Norton or Buck? How much does it matter?

Allow me to say in the nicest way possible that the Norton versus Buck race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate is a sideshow. My friends are passionate about which candidate deserves the Republican nomination. I appreciate that passion. Nevertheless, they are arguing over the deck chairs on the Titanic. Should they face starboard? Or stern?

Does it really matter? Republicans have failed to shrink the federal government since... uh... ever. Ever? Yep, ever.

Does it really matter which Colorado Republican wins the nomination? There is no reason to think, that after 150 years of failed small-government rhetoric, the GOP will finally succeed in shrinking the federal leviathan starting with the elections of 2010. None.

If we refuse to recognize the problem, we can't solve it. The problem is not who controls the White House. The problem is not which party controls the legislature. If the goal is shrinking the size, power and reach of the federal government, the GOP is a colossal failure. The best the GOP can say is that the cancer might not grow as fast if they have power.

That ain't good enough. If we accept that as good enough, WE are the problem. We can pretend the deck chairs are important. But it is a fantasy.

Granted, that there are valid arguments about which way the deck chairs should face. But why are is anyone arguing about something so trivial? Let's try to stop the ship from sinking.

And the ship is taking on water. It is listing. It is just a matter of time before Kate Winslet finally lets go of Leonardo DiCaprio. And that water is COLD.

I admire the dedication of each of you in either the Norton or Buck camps. Your hearts are in the right place. But until we make systemic change in our government, we are deciding between shrimp or beef at the Titanic buffet while our shoes get wet with salt water... we keep arguing over the buffet selection while the water passes our knees... then our belts... then our shoulders... and we act as if picking the shrimp is important.

The entree ain't important when the chafing dishes are floating away...

P.S. I love me some boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce.