Anyone else noticed that without Senator Sanders, discussion of issues has all but disappeared?

[Hortensis]

105. Reality is that almost always politicians can

only hope to accomplish part of what they want. Sometimes a very small part. Plus, they usually can't be at all sure ahead of time just what is going to be possible or to what degree and what's going to turn out to require far too much sacrifice of other goals.

Will we get control of the Senate? Or only a majority. Or not even that? How many House seats will we gain, and how will the Republican half's shrinkage affect their willingness to cooperate in order to get what they want? What new leaders and power blocs will emerge in and out of government? How about all the state offices that would come into play for certain goals? Or not? How about future judicial decisions that will make all the difference to some issues?

How about the effect of natural disasters on each possible goal? Terrorist acts? International economic crises?

These are not things we knew while we were choosing our candidate and making up our platform.

Nevertheless, taking a stand and putting all the desired and possibly achievable goals on the table not only has value in itself by saying this is who we are and what we want for our nation, but it is usually a very helpful and often just plain necessary step if they are to be pursued.

Oh, and let's not forget 2018, when half the people claiming to be concerned now and the facile cynics may not bother to vote and we'll be at risk of losing everything we might have gained in this election. That little reality will have a profound effect on what our political capital is expended on and when.