rants and ramblings of utter randomness

I'll agree that knee-jerk decisions based on party-loyalty, political ambition, et.al is not leadership (something both parties have certainly been guilty of). However, here's the thing: it is leadership if damn near everything coming down the pike steers the nation (be it in big steps or corrosive small ones) in a direction you don't fundamentally agree with. If those sponsoring legislation cannot present an argument for their cause that is compelling enough to sway the constituency of those who initially oppose it, that opposition has a duty stand in the way. And yes, I know that too often politicians of whatever stripe are driven by political ambitions, lobbyist money, and all other manner of impetus beyond their sole duty to represent the will of their constituency. I'm not a Pollyanna in that regard. But as was proven last week in Massachusetts, the people have a way of flexing their muscles so that their representatives in Washington don't forget why they're there.