In a democracy like ours, where partisanship is the driving force behind politics, leadership is thin on the ground. Laurie Roberts identifies a few problems which need tackling. Her frustration and exasperation are obvious in her tone. The Arizona House with its age-old majorities prefers to sit it out and wait and throw up chaff to avoid incoming missiles. "Look," they say,"we may have lousy schools which are falling down and no teachers but think of the money we save. And in any case we'll subsidize you to send your children to a private school." Ground water depletion by agribusiness? "Not a problem. Nobody can see anything, so it doesn't really exist. You can't trust scientists." Roads are falling apart? "Never mind. Leave it until after the next elections. What's a few potholes? Local government should pay more." And so the stupidity goes on and the problems get worse. Leadership is about predicting problems and coming up with solutions even if they are unpopular in the short term. A simple fuel tax would be a beginning. Less carbon dioxide... kill two birds with one stone. Duh? Too intelligent? Probably.