A Parliament’s job is not only to legislate but to debate, to inquire, to hold to account and to understand. It is time for Government to become more efficient and more creative in the way that decisions are made. Our job in this Chamber is to lead and to persuade, not to impose unnecessary burdens on business, communities and individuals. ~Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland (via Alex Massie)

Massie correctly reminds us that all of this might be just so much empty talk, but what refreshing and unexpected talk it is.  Massie also writes about Ron Paul, one of the few sensible elected representatives around.