There are many things that I cannot experience,

[eppur_se_muova]

33. Such a contrast with right wingers -- if they haven't experienced it, they can't imagine it.

How many times has a Repug decided that he suddenly understands the problem, now that someone close to him, or even himself, is affected ? And WHY was he so devoid of imagination that he couldn't imagine it would be a problem for *anyone* in the same position ?

Thanks, MM. Your post reflect my own feelings very well.

One other point -- those who are "different" seldom, if ever, get the chance to vote for a representative who has experienced what they have -- and even if they do, their candidate is not likely to win, even in a primary. So they end up having a choice among older white male candidates, not because older white males are so great, or even constitute a majority, but because they are at least the most numerous minority (and usually over-represented among the candidate pool as well), hence most likely to win in a winner-take-all election format. For most voters, they *MUST* choose someone who isn't like them, in one crucial way or another (usually several), and must embrace the hope that as a fundamental part of the democratic process, these representatives will do their best to represent their interests anyway. So many times we have heard politicians proclaim that it is their job to represent all the people, not just some -- yet how little that ideal seems to be honored among R's, who respect big donors so much more than "others". It is left up to Dems to see that "otherness" does not debilitate the lives and the dignity of our citizens.