What's Your Definition of Mainstream?

Recently, a high school friend of mine, who likes to challenge me politically, drew a conclusion that I considered Bill Maher "Mainstream." Maher is libertarian, and a celebrity, and not what I would consider Mainstream. I have watched his shows for years, though. We don't always agree, but I still like him.
I'm independent. And I have little tolerance for the cat fighting between Republicans and Democrats. I think the arrogance of the Republicans and the ignorance of the Democrats is staggering and utterly ridiculous.
To the Rush Limbaugh Republicans, Tea Baggers and the Wandering in the Desert for 40 Years Republicans, I say: Unite! Get your party together. You're fragmented. Figure out what you stand for and unite.
To the Democrats, I say: WAKE UP!
To both parties, who are still talking about Clinton lying about a bad blow job, (not lying about a matter of national security, but a sex-related issue) I say: While Newt was trying to bust Bill, Newt was having an affair. And while Bill was having to deal with his publicized sex life, he still managed to eliminate the deficit and leave office with a surplus. GET OVER IT!
All of you who get your panties in a wad over the mention of Clinton, or sex for that matter, are either lacking it or cheating on your partner. I always had money during the Clinton administration and I still think he is a damn good economist.
With that said, what is Mainstream to me? Mainstream, so far, has not been represented by an individual or party. Mainstream, are people who go to work every day, or own a small business, have little or no savings, have little or no health care, can't take vacation or go very far for very long if they do and have very few tax breaks. 
Mainstream runs your local taco shack, your local print shop, your cleaners, works in your grocery stores and your bakeries, waits on you when you go out to eat and cooks your favorite dishes at your favorite restaurant. Mainstream is the guy/girl who fixes your car, who delivers your packages, picks up your garbage, tends your garden, cleans your house and owns the local laundrymat. Mainstream is you favorite bartender at your local bar, and the receptionist at the water company or the clerk at the electric company.
Mainstream is not Corporate America. Corporate America tries to make Mainstream believe they have their best interest at heart. But they have their own agendas and Mainstream is just a pawn.
Mainstream is the un-united core (not corp) of people that keeps America functioning.  And, last time I checked, in all actuality and reality, they have no representation. 
This main core of America is used. They're used to pass agendas and to gain political power. They are vulnerable which makes them easily manipulated by political promises. And they're at the mercy of a predominantly two party system that can never agree or work together.

Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

This issue is about to twist my head off. Mostly because of the close-mindedness displayed by the NRA (National Rifle Association).
I am a member of the NRA. I am also a supporter of the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). The NRA calls the CBD "anti-gun " and "radical," which is ignorant, and it makes me really disgusted.
To simplify this for you, the CBD wants to take the lead out of ammunition. Many animals and birds that are not fatally wounded could go on to survive but instead die from lead poisoning. This includes birds like California condors and bald eagles.
I did a story some 18 years ago on the California condor. I went out to the observation blinds in their habitats. At that time, condors were becoming even more endangered and were dying from drinking anti-freeze in parking lots where people were draining their radiators. At least now, from that environmental effort, we have a choice between using an environmentally safe anti-freeze or the standard anti-freeze.
I'll bet that never occurred to you either, how birds and animals might drink out of a puddle in a parking lot. And how potentially toxic that can be.
Miraculously, the NRA has twisted this effort into the CBD trying to ban guns. OH PLEASE!! Are you that insecure NRA? How do you get wanting to take the lead out of ammo into banning guns? Are you that opposed to change and better ways of doing things? If so, you will surely fade away at some point. Life is about change and innovation.
The CBD lost its effort to get the lead out of ammo. http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2010/lead-09-09-2010.html 
and the NRA is celebrating this absurd victory http://graphics.nra.org/freedom_times/FreedomTimes32.htm . Guess the NRA had the more "radical" lobbyists.
Yeah, cool! Even if you're a bad shot, that critter's going to die anyway now from lead poisoning. Congratulations! Good for you!
Exactly what is the NRA advocating here? Killing? Or the right to bear arms?
I won't renew my membership in the NRA. I want nothing to do with a bunch of thick-headed knuckle-draggers who cannot see or think ahead for our future. How stupid. From, please make ammunition out of something else, to, they're trying to take our guns away? 
Congratulations NRA! May the death toll rise on your behalf. Shoot 'em up boys and girls!