I believe there is merit to the argument... [View all]

[WilliamPitt]

...that raising hell about demonstrably bad decisions like the broad-spectrum support of fracking, the broad-spectrum support of NSA intelligence-gathering on citizens, the fast-track-push support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the as-yet-undecided but pretty-much-done deal for the Keystone XL pipeline, the seemingly imminent decision to deliver arms to demonstrably crazy people in Syria who are not our friends, etc...

...might just maybe make those who raise that hell a better Democrat than you?

When I threw my support behind John Kerry in 2004, despite his soul-crushing Iraq War vote, it was on the promise I made to myself that I would climb up his back and tapdance on his head every time I disagreed with him. Sadly for the planet, that opportunity died in shadow in Ohio. I voted for President Obama three times - primary, general, general - on the same promise. I've tried to live up to it as best I can. Sometimes I've done it poorly, sometimes I've done it well, but I cling to consistency as best I can; I treat the man like what he is, a politician who at times makes mistakes, and nothing more.

Steeping in the rancid tea of self-satisfied opinions, with no disagreements and only a chorus of "Amens" around you, is a recipe for disaster. We owe it to the officials we vote for to hold them to standards, to try and make them better if we can. We owe it to the country. To do any less is to create a bubble, and as we have all learned to our sorrow over the last ten years, bubbles - both political and economic - eventually burst, and the rain falls on all of us when that takes place.

There's been a lot of chatter around here about the DU rules, about tightening those rules, accusations of subversion, etc. I'm a part of the reason for that, but it's been building for a while.

Politics is not a team sport. Holding politicians accountable is a solemn duty. I have never voted for a Republican in my life, I always vote, and I have been here since 2001 fighting for the same things you fight for.

I also criticize my president when his actions are worthy of criticism. Sometimes poorly, sometimes well, but when he deserves it, he gets it.

He's also gotten every vote I've had the opportunity to give him. I support him, and I try to make him better in whatever small way I can.

That makes me a very, very good Democrat.