The circus in Washington is almost over. And there's nothing we can do about the outcome

[Cyrano]

We already know that we're screwed, but the question is "how much?" Within the next 24 hours, the people who "decide" things in the bubble called Washington D.C. will inform us of our fate.

These are people who don't really have much in common with us. They don't have our medical bills. They don't need a job (at the moment). They get paid enough to buy steak at the supermarket, fill their SUVs with gas, and send their kids to private schools.

Yet, they get to decide what we are going to have to give up, and we don't have anything to say about it. And please, don't tell me that there's always the next election. If you still believe in our election system, you probably believe in the tooth fairy.

It seems fairly obvious that our system of capitalism and representative democracy are badly broken -- perhaps beyond repair.

About all we can hope for is that they don't destroy social security, medicare, unemployment insurance, and many other things that we have actually paid for during our working years. But regardless of what I hope for, all I can say is spit in one hand, hope in the other and see which one fill up first.

[Bluebear]

1. All we fan do is wave a pennant, shout "yes we can!" and call it a day

You're right. We have no say.

[KaryninMiami]

2. Well I suppose we can each make a promise to throw out the tea party

And make sure that every Democratic and Ind. voter we know, VOTES because had that happened in 10, we would not be where we are today. The right wing terrorists currently calling the shots, did not all win by huge margines- they won because more people came out to vote for them combined with rigged electronic voting machines (which account for about 1.5% of the GOP swing)

If we don't have turnout in 12- not only do we loose the White House but we also cannot take back Congress and get a bigger majority for the Senate.

[badtoworse]

5. We'll be lucky to hold the Senate

We're defending 24 seats. The Republicans are defending 10

[Dragonfli]

11. when all I hear from both sides is "cutting spending creates jobs" and other RW talking pointsd

Honestly, who can you vote for? The honest Republican or the Republican that lies about being a Republican?

[William769]

3. except send in the clowns.

[Cyrano]

7. Don't bother, they're here.

[Lorien]

4. There is something we can do about the outcome; vote out anyone who has voted

against US. We all deserve better and should demand better. We don't have to keep voting for the "lesser of evils". We can primary the defenders of the status quo (which actually isn't the status quo-since it keeps getting worse). We don't have to be victims; we can choose to be very loud activists instead.

[tridim]

9. +1 The Terrorst Party is going down in 2012

[Dragonfli]

12. Possibly their enablers and secret allies as well /nt

[AndyTiedye]

15. if We All "Stop Voting for the Lesser of 2 Evils", the Terrorist (GOP) Party is Gonna Win Everything

The teabaggers got into power in part because we considered the "blue dogs" the "lesser of 2 evils" and didn't vote for them.

"Citizens United" had a lot to do with it too, of course.

[Tesha]

19. For a while. But eventually, a party might emerge that actually will *WORK* to win our votes.

Hell, it might even be a reinvigorated Democratic Party,
purged of all of its covert Republicans.

Tesha

[Lorien]

20. Perhaps for a short time, but people will get to a point where they say "ENOUGH"!

We can't continue on the same path. We lose more ground with every passing day!

[socialist_n_TN]

6. Fuck it. Vote if you want (I will)

but there's no way that we'll ever get representation. When 80% of the people want taxes raised on the wealthy and super majorities support other "leftish" positions, yet the Congress and the President DON'T EVEN MENTION THEM, that's no representation. Or really no possibility of any representation.

[Loge23]

8. ...and they don't need that job anyway

Most of these cretins are already fabulously wealthy - they have to be in order to run. They will live quite well after their "public service".
The grand experiment is over and it has failed.
Elections? Who really cares? We have a choice of column A and column B - no substitutions.
We can get all excited about "grassroots" activism and political debates, but we do so in a sort of captive glass jar on the mantle of those who really wield the power.
We're cranky serfs at best.

[RKP5637]

10. Two major mistakes in this country by "we the people" IMO. First: Thinking that

those in power give a fuck about the majority of people. Sure, some do, but when you look at them collectively. Second: Thinking the elected government runs this country. 400 people own about 50% of the wealth of this country. About 20% of the country owns 80% of the wealth. The rest of the country, 20%, shares what fell of the plate, the crumbs.

Money runs the US, holds the power and runs the gov., and owns most of the congressmen and the WH. People really need to wake up to what is going on. If you strip away the civil and social issues, A=B IMO.

[Cyrano]

14. Yep.

Our two biggest problems are a media that is owned by the powers that be, and our "elected" officials who are owned by the powers that be.

And we are also owned by the powers that be. But I don't think anything will change because far too many Americans don't get it and never will.

[woo me with science]

17. Wish I could recommend this post. nt

[spanone]

13. or the next fucking.

[woo me with science]

16. They are just getting started. nt

[sad sally]

18. The Circus and it's Leader (Congress and the President)

are packing their bags to go on their 5-week MUCH DESERVED vacation.

They'll come back in September, rested and ready to tackle campaigning in a serious way. Then we'll hear all the promises about how important we all are to them, how they're going to cut corporate taxes, lower the rates for the job creators, etc., etc.