If most politicians are out of touch elitists, and they get corrupted as soon as they get to DC ....

[Stinky The Clown]

..... and there's little chance for any of us to find ourselves actually represented by a politician who actually cares, why do you care? Are you just baying at the moon?

It seems to defy logic that one could both hold the opening statement of this thread true and still give a shit about politics.

[blues90]

1. There may a handfull of politicians that are not elitist or corrupt

That's the only reason I give a shit about politics and to at least have some warning how badly I and others might get screwed by the majority of the corrupt politicians.

These people, if they can be called that, are not satisifed with the salery they make and working for the people as they swore to. No , hell no, they have to be part of the big club and win elections not based on their performance but on how much damn money they can collect and they care not where the money comes from. They go for the big win and to keep their seat.

[Fire1]

2. Quite a contradiction, huh. n/t

[DJ13]

3. I agree

Lets load up on guns and move behind our compound walls waiting for the collapse.

[TheWraith]

4. I would direct your question right back at you...

Since that seems to be the central premise of the people who're pushing the "it's all a hopeless disaster and we should kill the bill" rhetoric.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Why would you push that back on me?

I do think the bill is crap, but your the one globalizing here.

I bet you line everyone up as either black or white.

I bet you also make frequent use of the descriptor "hater" without any hint of irony.

And what's that on your shoulder?

[h kalervo]

5. Fact:

There are good people, some of them presumably trying to get into politics; it's just that no one votes for them. People need to stop voting for the nominees promoted by the corporate media as Chomsky might say (he's certainly implied it). No McCain, but no Obama either.

[Fumesucker]

7. Just as it's possible to become infatuated with somone you really don't like..

It's also possible to become fascinated or enthralled by a process you find disgusting..

Witness the popularity of slasher and horror flicks..

[Political Heretic]

8. This is an incredibly easy question to answer, and not at all the "Gotcha" I think you intended:

So reasons for caring include:

1. I need to carefully analyze national public policy to understand its state and local impact for my work in local community. For example, Health Care reform is going to mean major changes for my community and state, given the fact that much of the regulation and enforcement aspects are going to be left up to states to figure out.

That's the most practical reason. I can't just ignore the travesty that is national politics, because I have to understand policy that later effects communities and states such as my own.

2. I want the national system deconstructed and rebuilt in a different image. I'm not optimistic that this will happen, not without a complete economic collapse of our society. But that doesn't mean I don't want it. That means I advocate for what I want, why I think it matters, and why I want other people to join with me.

3. Finally, the utter failure of the national political system is still upsetting, very angering. I'm not at all ashamed or apologetic about acknowledging the emotional factor - the insufficiency and travesty of national politics hurts. It's heartbreaking to me and fills me with a mixture of sorrow and anger - of course that's part of the reason I keep talking about it, and will continue to talk about it.


Now let me ask you something, if you were in a situation where you were absolutely helpless to stop someone from suffering at the hands of someone else - you could see it happen, but for whatever reason where completely prevented from changing what was happening - would you stop caring?

That's like saying,

-- people are suffering under this ridiculous injustice
-- I can't change it
-- therefore, I stop caring about the suffering people are experiencing

No. For me, that's not a line of thinking I'm willing to take. And as long as there are people out there who think this system works that Democrats are presently actively saving the day, I'll continue to care and make my argument against that notion.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Its amazing how you think you know what I intended.

I can tell by your answer that, with respect to my intention, you possess not a clue.

[Political Heretic]

10. Ok then, I apologize. But do you really think...

... I'm alone in assuming that was your intention by the way you wrote the OP? I didn't think I was "guessing" at anything - as far as I could tell it was stated pretty plain.

But obviously I was wrong, please accept my apology.

That out of the way, my reasons in response to your question make sense to you, yes? Pretty easy to see what would keep someone caring, wouldn't you agree?

[change_notfinetuning]

11. Same reason that I'm still a diehard Cubs fan - eternal optimism. Heck, I even

think that THIS Mayor Daley will be voted out BEFORE he croaks.

I may think incrementalism is wrong for health care reform or disengaging from "dumb wars", but I'm afraid that waking people up, one voter at a time, and getting them to the polls, is the only thing we can do to get a better crop of elected officials. The only choice is to keep at it. It's too important not to. It's like a parent of a kid with so much potential, who's headed in the wrong direction. You just want to see them reach that potential, and you do everything you can to help. Our country has incredible potential, but it needs our help.

And, actually, I am lucky enough to be represented in Congress by someone who does care, Jan Schakowsky. We all should have a Rep. as good. Although, sadly, even she's had a few sips of the White House Kool Aid of late.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

12. Because constant public pressure is the only thing that occasionally gets us...

...some of what we want. That's the game, always has been.