In addition to being cheap, Biden was guilty of plagiarism.

But, as you said, neither party has a monopoly on corruption.

As to solutions, the parties are so far apart compromise in near impossible. The Dems want to leave entitlement programs virtually intact and raise taxes on the "rich" to pay for them. I'd argue there are several problems with that approach: 1. There aren't enough "rich" to cover all of the planned spending. 2. The "rich" already pay a disproportionate share of taxes (highest in any developed country) 3. Raising taxes in a weak economy is never a good idea.

The Republicans believe higher taxes just lead to higher government spending. History supports their contention. Rather than higher taxes, the Republicans believe entitlement programs must be changed. They also believe growing the economy and lowering unemployment, thus expanding the tax base, will generate higher tax revenues than raising tax rates.

More broadly, the Dems support big government and big government solutions. The Reps generally favor smaller government and market-based solutions. After viewing the corruption inherent in government as well as its overall ineptitude, not to mention the abject failure of Keynesian economics, it's beyond me why anyone can favor bigger government. Why would anyone want these clowns to run healthcare? It's nuts.

2012 will be an extremely important year as to the future direction of our country.