for a LONG time. Unfortunately, we got too used to having competent statespersons in office who were more interested in long-term benefits for the country than in flamboyant short-term moments that might benefit themselves alone.
Even Nixon, much as I loathed him, had some decent moments, although several sane Republicans left the party during his administrations. Some became good Dems. But things really took a turn for the worse with the rise of the so-called "Reagan Democrats" (many who were formerly Southern Dems who had supported George Wallace in 1968) who united with the radical RW John Birchers and radical RW evangelicals to form the so-called "Christian" coalition. Our political system has gone radically downhill from there and since 1994, with Newt Gingrich and his "Contract for America," burgeoning hate radio and "deep pockets" like the Kochs and corporate lobbyists, it has become gradually so dysfunctional as not to work at all.
I had hoped for a turn-around with President Obama in 2008. But that was ultimately not to be, in part because of his own party. Shamefully. But I attribute a LOT of that to Rahm Emanuel and his literally throwing Howard Dean out of Prez O's inner circle, simply to return to the "same-old-same-old" politicking as usual. Given what Prez O inherited, however, I am still amazed at what he was still able to accomplish in the circumstances. That was not appreciated by too many - including some here.
Competence, intelligence, statesmanship and a consistent track record of working in the trenches of the Democratic Party to advance Democratic causes have counted for too little and have even been disparaged and/or sneered at - even by some who call themselves Dems. While that was shown throughout the Dem primaries, it was proven without a doubt in November in every "red" state that supported Trump, but especially in those that had been "blue" formerly.
Yes, there is every reason to fear what could very well happen with an incompetent narcissist in the WH, and particularly with THIS incompetent narcissist. I hold EVERYONE who helped that to happen responsible. You know who you are.
I LOVE the French for understanding exactly what was at stake between the two choices they had yesterday. Nearly two-thirds of the electorate voted in the only sane way possible for the long-term good of their country. If only we had done the same.
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