We need to recognise that what really matters isn't buying more and more consumer goods but family friends and knowing that we are doing something worthwhile with our lives. Helping to reduce the appalling consequences of world poverty should be part of that reassessment.

By virtually any measure the record of the Republican Majority is an appalling failure.

Never judge someone by who he's in love with judge him by his friends. People fall in love with the most appalling people. Take a cool appraising glance at his pals.