We’ve become amazingly like the cattle populating our feed lots, but take heart: the powers that be have spent a lot of time redesigning the chutes so that we’ll be calm as we’re led to the slaughter.

2: The Straight Talk Express is a good idea, but it only works if you, unlike McCain, talk straight.

Back in 2000, McCain got kudos for his “straight talk express”. We need a politician who’s not afraid to tell it like it is, even if that means he or she couldn’t get elected. Just having someone around, and lasting through the primary to the general election and the debates would force real issues to the forefront of the country’s mind. Of course, only the independently wealthy could ever pull that off, and what’s the chance that someone would put up all that money with the full knowledge that he or she would lose badly?

Scary thing is, I’d consider it if I had the money. I’d keep on blogging, I wouldn’t take a word I’ve written down, and yes, I’d face difficult questions about my criticism of evangelical Christianity, and yes, I’d have to admit that I’m not Christian, and yes, all my other skeletons would come out into the public sphere to be ridiculed, but by the gods, I’d tell people what the needed to hear.

There’s a difference between being tactful and lying. Our politicians seem to have forgotten that difference.

But no donors would ever donate to my campaign. No party would ever support me. And unless I win the PowerBall, I’ll never be wealthy enough to fund my own campaign.

We are a nation absolutely in love with ignorance. We think it’s a virtue. We just love being herded like cattle with the prod being naked fear of … what? The stronger the nation gets, the richer, the more influential, the fraidier we Americans get.

Pennsylvania votes Wednesday in what reasonable people might wish is effectively the last of a primary season in which presidential aspirants have effectively revealed their character by tearing down each other to become the last man or woman standing….