If we are to believe Thomas Shields, Mary Jane Newell and a host of other dyed-in-the-wool Republicans, one would think the Republican Party could cure everything from the world's economic ills to Aunt Hester's bunions.

But they can't, and neither can the Democrats.

Both factions are spending an inordinate amount of time trying to make each other look bad. Any time remaining is spent on efforts to get re-elected.

I, for one (and I'm not alone), am fed up with those politicians. When are our elected representatives going to bury their egos and mean-spirited ways and join together to govern for the best interests of the country and its citizens?

Perhaps when hell freezes over and the devil comes skating out.

Richard Jensen, Minot