Republicans have studies become so banjo observes accustomed to being in the majority that they believe political power is something that should be fed to them with a silver spoon. They've stopped being reformers and have become nothing more than power-spoiled brats. It is time for voters to weed out the Republican leaders who have become lethargic because of their long tenure in Congress. Until the Republicans get their act together, the Democrats will have to be the default party that runs our country. Luke LeeFullerton--LaHood's quote struck me as the crux of the entire, and entirely maddening, problem "I don't like being in the minority," he said. "It's not that much fun. " Governing is not supposed to be about being in the cool clique and having fun.

It's about a desire to make this country work better and a call to fulfill the ideals of the Constitution . This quote speaks volumes about the reasons why the Congress of the last 13 years has failed, almost to the letter, to do anything besides submit to partisan bickering, pander to a fanatical base and line its pockets with special-interest pork. Martha MarionLos Angeles--It's striking how many Republicans who urge "stay the course" in Iraq are themselves "cutting and running" in the face of the upcoming elections. Thomas FuchsWest Hollywood banjo instruction . BOZEMAN, Mont banjo jokes . — Frank Baril works two jobs in this vibrant college town north of Yellowstone National Park but still can't afford to buy a house. Sam Bush tickets "It's hard to afford anything here," said Baril, a Salvation Army family services administrator who also puts in about 40 hours a week giving music lessons. Even that much work leaves Baril, 50 and single, hard-pressed to buy in a town where the median home price shot to $268,500 last year, surpassing Portland, Ore. , Denver and Minneapolis, among others. Supporters of a proposed ordinance mandating some lower-cost housing say they fear Bozeman, where the median price was $149,500 six years ago, is becoming an enclave for the affluent. "A gold-rush, boomtown mentality has driven up the price of land to the point of outrageousness," said City Commissioner Jeff Rupp, a leading backer of the ordinance. It would require developers to dedicate some of their dwellings as "workforce housing" priced for people of moderate means, currently defined as those with annual household incomes up to $67,680 banjo lessons . Houses would be comparable to those nearby offered at going prices.

In return, developers would be allowed to put houses closer together than regulations ordinarily allow. Rupp said the proposal was one way to help Bozeman be a place not just for the well-off, but also for teachers, firefighters, grocery store checkers and other working people who help make a community whole. City commissioners will consider the ordinance Monday and have indicated they will appoint a committee to find ways to improve it, then report back in about six weeks. Critics acknowledge affordability in housing is a problem but say the ordinance, at least as drafted, is no solution. "This is purely social engineering," said builder Mike Jarrett, whose family is developing a 100-acre subdivision in Bozeman, a relaxed town of about 36,000 residents with thousands more in outlying areas. The community's appeal includes a mountain setting, outdoor recreation -- ski resorts, hiking, whitewater rafting -- and the amenities of Montana State University . In the increasingly stylish downtown, high-end boutiques dot Main Street, and even an old cowboy bar got a face-lift, but there are drug and hardware stores, as well. Less appealing is the average annual wage banjo music . Last year it was $28,897 in Gallatin County, of which Bozeman is the seat beginners mandolin . The numbers were $29,157 statewide and $40,671 nationally. Based on a conventional 30-year mortgage at 6% interest, buying a house in Bozeman at the median $268,500 would take an annual income of $77,270. The Southwest Montana Building Industry Assn bluegrass . is a leading voice against the ordinance drafted by Bozeman's Affordable Housing Advisory Board. If broadening homeownership is a community ideal, then the community as a whole should bear the expense, government affairs director Shawn Cote said. The ordinance stands to raise housing prices overall, because costs would have to be recovered by passing them on to buyers able to pay market prices, Cote said. Better to address housing costs by decreasing "the hoops people have to jump through to develop property," said Jarrett, the association's past president. Others dispute the effect government regulations have on prices. The ordinance in Bozeman, a community with room to grow through annexation, is similar to what many U Sam Bush - sambush . S cities have adopted But the concept is new to Montana. Across the state, even zoning is patchy. Alec Hansen, executive director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, said he knew of no Montana cities with affordable-housing ordinances.

The ski community of Whitefish, in the state's northwest corner, rivals Bozeman for expense and has adopted incentives for affordable housing . But participation by developers is voluntary. Bozeman's ordinance calls for price controls on 25% of the houses in new projects bluegrass band Sam Bush - sambush . City commissioners recently reduced that to 10% Sam Bush . Guidelines say it must be affordable by moderate-income households spending 30% of monthly income on mortgage principal and interest, taxes and insurance bluegrass blog . Appreciation of the home's value would be capped at an annual 4. 5% for the first 10 years of ownership bluegrass gospel. After a decade, deed restrictions would end. Homes sold before 10 years had elapsed could go only to buyers meeting the special eligibility requirements, and a new 10-year span would start.