If we treated our children the same way we treat our politicians, we would raise

[TooBigaTent]

generation after generation of spoiled, undisciplined, destructive, self-indulgent brats.

We rant and rave at the pols, thinking we are going to actually influence their decision-making. They pretend to listen to us, turn to their corporate owners for cash and instructions, and continue the Amerikan tradition of running the country for the benefit of the rich and powerful.

If a young child acted this way, would we act the same?

Imagine your child is throwing baseballs around your living room, something you have warned them against doing countless times before. You sit on your couch and scream, "If you do that one more time, no bedtime story."

Your son or daughter totally ignores your screaming from across the room. After all, you have yelled at them before.

After a half hour, you get tired of yelling. You get up, fix them a snack, and read them their favorite story as you tuck them into bed (assuming THEY are ready to go to bed).

Lesson learned.

Our children do learn that threats without follow-through will never be able to control (or even influence) their actions.

Misbehavior without consequences. Any first-year psychology student can tell you that empty warnings will not influence behavior. Our politicians have also learned that lesson.

They have a perfect role model for this dysfunctional method - George W. They (and we) have done nothing to impede his leading this country to fascism and the world to ruin.

And people still think that things are going to change?

Lesson learned.

[bean fidhleir]

1. Well said. Very nice analogy, and deadly accurate.

Funny what a hard time some people have understanding the principle.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. Isn't that how people raise children now?

I've seen plenty that do.