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In reply to the discussion: Forget the DU created issues. How does Hillary not have an opinion on TPP? [View all]MFrohike
(1,980 posts)If a candidate doesn't have the backbone to state where he or she stands on an issue, that candidate is too fucking spineless to hold office. That Madison Avenue, focus group bullshit is the primary cause of the state of the country today. Rather than dedicate ourselves to the actual principles of self-government and making it so people aren't oppressed and have the means to enjoy it, you'd rather we go with dishonesty and cowardice. To hell with that, sir.
There's no point in winning if you don't stand for shit. If you all do is win and don't constructively use the power for the betterment of your employers, the citizens of the United States, then you aren't worth spitting on if you catch on fire.
Your position may seem utterly pragmatic to you, but it's nothing but sterile amorality. Sure, that plan might well get you into office, but so what? What do you do then? Flounder about and try to cut deals? Sit around like Grant and hope Congress doesn't screw up? Maybe you just let out inane platitudes periodically and hope historians are too blinded by the trappings of power so they don't notice that your legacy is essentially "took up space." Give me a break.
I'll leave you with a final thought. Not long after he assumed the office, LBJ was in a meeting with his advisors. The topic of a voting rights bill came up and one of the advisors argued against pushing for it, saying that a president only had so much capital to spend and should save it for bigger things. There was a moment of silence and then Johnson replied, "Well, what the hell's the presidency for?"