I have lost the capacity to respect, let alone admire, those in positions of power.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

There was a time, not so long ago, I could be touched by the words of "officials", figuring them advocates for people like me,...for people, period.

The Clinton administration did advance the 'common interests' by engaging in lots of compromises. At least, the Clintons' work with the right-wing felt like we were advancing. Over the last several years, it feels like those compromises led to sacrifices no one could have foreseen. Today, I not only believe but flatly know the fight for power over this nation and over this world never included my interests or the interests of my fellow hard-working, concerned and active citizens.

Now, I have learned that, those who cling to power do so OVER me,...not FOR me,...especially those stringently advocating "no taxes" and "free trade" and "war against terrorism" and "welfare is BAD BAD BAD". These people serve only ONE INTEREST and that "interest" is themselves; they'd rather abandon, defraud, betray and kill the well-being of this country than sacrifice one damn dime for the safety and interests of a nation,...and they are in power.

I'm not free. None of us are. We can't be free if competition is those possessed of money and power. There is no level playing field when the referees excuse all violations of rules, the referees being the 'players'.

I'm ranting because I just feel no reason to BELIEVE in a political system that's ANTI-DEMOCRACY, ANTI-EQUALITY, ANTI-COMPETITION, ANTI-FREEDOM,...anti-humanity.

Just ranting,...

[Arctic Dave]

1. These people have disgusted me for a long time.

The only way I see changing it, is starting from the bottom up. Start local and go from there.

[Juche]

2. Yup

Something as small as a 53-47 majority can do wonders for who is in charge. Even before the 'unpleasantness' of the RW the democrats could easily gain 45-50% of the vote. If we can just get a few million new voters to join the rolls (latinos, blacks, youth, disabled) or convert some disgusted republicans we can get good majorities to keep these people from harming the US.

And it will take grassroots efforts, that is how the religious right took over the republican party after Roe v. Wade. They started locally to the point where it was hard to get nominated to a state or national position w/o the help of this grassroots org. We can build a parallel 1-3 million strong progressive army that does the same thing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. It's the only sensible and "democratic" attitude to have.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Thomas Paine