Dems and Repubs: one and the same?

The following are great comments from Dirk who responded to a post, here. The comments are presented here in full. He is so correct in many ways. So, how do we "take our nation back?" And does Ron Paul believe in open borders and the loss of whatever American sovereignty remains after NAFTA, Clinton, and Bush? From Dirk: ~~~~~~~ Hey Beachgirl, you need to step up your understanding of the current 2 party system. Anyone who places their faith in either major party will wind up losing. The average supporters of both parties are played against each other like suckers as the leadership of both parties move us in the same overall direction. They argue about numerous issues, but never touch the critical issues. Democrats will argue for higher income taxes and Republicans will argue for lower income taxes. However, they're both arguing in favor of income taxes, and the correct alternative of scrapping the income tax altogether is never presented as an option to the public. There is the appearance of an intense battle for control. It's carefully managed to stay fairly evenly balanced between those who gravitate towards the Democrats and those who gravitate towards the Republicans. Once you begin to realze that battle is raging on the deck of the Titanic you will start to see the bigger picture. I was a committed Republican for many years until the reality of it became apparent. The media annointed "frontrunners" at the beginning of modern presidential races have been paraded into American living rooms for years with news clips and coverage. By the time the race starts they are household names. A statesman like Ron Paul would receive equal coverage if the press were free, independent and objective simply because his positions and ideas are so different from the status quo. I totally agree with you about your opinion of Hillary Clinton. However, don't be suckered into thinking that the Republican Party is your salvation. They are taking us down the same road as the democrats, they just go in smaller steps and veer a little more to the right. Not the true right, but the neo-con right that most Republicans have swallowed hook, line and sinker. If Ron Paul doesn't get the Republican nomination, "your man, whomever that might be" will screw our country as bad as Hillary. It might be in some other form or fashion, but we'll be screwed just the same. There are more than enough people in the country who realize that to win the election for Ron Paul. With the exponential growth of his support, there is more than enough time over the next year for him to win as an independent. He's the only one who can defeat Hillary whether that be as a Republican or solo. Every four years for a long time now Americans have been spoon fed candidates that come from the same pool. This time there is a true alternative. America is soaking up the rEVOLution like a sponge. It's time for you to become a part of it. This isn't about Ron Paul, it's much bigger than him. America is waking up. He's just the messenger. A little quirky maybe, but squeaky clean, rock solid and not out for power or personal gain. He's the guy you want in your corner. Screw the labels, take a really deep and close look at his positions on the issues at www.ronpaullibrary.org. ~~~~~~ A link, Ron Paul Library. As for truth in advertising, I would have voted for Pat Buchanan in 2004 but didn't. My bad... To be even more insanely honest, I would have voted for Kerry since we had a Republican House and Senate. To me, one of the tragedies for our nation that historians will recount is that our Republican House and Senate - in so many ways - kow towed to the president when they knew they should not have. Just like some Republican Senators voted to keep Clinton, the First, in office only so that George W. Bush would not be facing an incumbent Al Gore. Now, that was shameful... But for now, let's look to the present and our future...