Only through a careful evaluation of where America went wrong with its economy will it have a chance of changing course. Republicans continue to deny reality, namely that their leadership and failed ideology are the problem once again, just as they led to the Great Depression.

John McCain and Republicans cannot have it both ways. They cannot claim to be strong deregulators while also claiming to have answers to significant economic problems created by wrong-headed, irresponsible financial deregulation.

The Wall Street, near meltdown (which still could happen), harkens back to the beginning of the Great Depression – another time when Republicans held power. That party is nothing if not consistent. It gave America one great depression, and recently almost handed over a second.

For Republican supporters to now blame Democrats, or suggest it is the fault of both parties, is proof that some will rearrange the deck chairs on the “U.S.S. Republican Titanic” right up until it slips beneath the waves. As they float, they will blame Democrats, though Republicans were at the helm.

The Republican approach denies responsibility for its failures no matter the absurdity of such denials, which is ironic, since that party claims to encourage personal responsibility. Such a propensity for reframing reality is a core Republican value. It was during the Great Depression, and it is now.

Republican leadership has given America the largest federal budgets, biggest federal government, largest trade deficit, an unnecessary war in Iraq, and greatest debt ever.

Had enough, America?

Mark Tardif, Waterville