An alternative view from a “lackey butt-kissing shit”

[NRaleighLiberal]

59. Your incredible effort on the OP is appreciated - well done, and thought-provoking.

It is such a complex issue being discussed by a broad, diverse and complex membership whose views have been formed over different generations, living in different areas - so anything that adds to the discourse and aids understanding is important.

Speaking for myself, it is kind of like peeling an onion - I am very pro-Democratic/liberal principles, and in a perfect world, they would be aggressively and uniformly pursued by all elected Democrats. Of course, we know that isn't possible - Democrats in different areas of the country have different flavors. FDR is my ideal as well; I am actually so far left that I've finally come to realize no Democratic presidential candidate could ever possibly fully represent all of my ideals - oh well!

I guess for me I've become disillusioned - I am too idealistic, and the Bush years and post-911 reaction, as well as the growing power of money, turns my affection for any politician lukewarm at best - it is about having distressingly low expectations, because, to me, the money aspect can't be overcome. Maybe it is Bernie Sanders that I feel has it the most right, yet he himself is a politician, so in many respects his hands will be tied as well.

Call me skeptical or cynical - it's where my mindset is, currently. And so, where I come down to on issues - of course, it is all about ensuring Democrats are in office (because the opposite is clearly, truly terrifying) - but as a person who tends not to put anyone on a pedestal or find anyone beyond constructive critique, that's as good as it gets. I admire and respect our president, am overjoyed he was elected. The cards are stacked against him - they were from the start. He has accomplished much - and I hope for more.

But on the Snowden situation, it isn't about what's legal, about Snowden, or about our president, to me. It is about what should be, what is wrong with how things now are - and all colored by our inappropriate reaction to 911 and what we ended up giving up - we certainly don't act like a bold, brave country, in my view. And then I realize how much it is all about money. And it makes me disillusioned, and sad.

As for DU - the website I've spent perhaps the most time on for 9 years now - for me it is never about taking sides or joining any group - it is about learning from so many smart people, overlooking the inevitable times when things get kind of crazy (like now) - but appreciating that it is here for us.