I thought maybe I could get most everyone here upset with me

[Tom Rinaldo]

49. Well we simply disagree then

"Weaning" is not the same as "Cold Turkey". There is planning involved and an effort made to locate and provide an alternative. It is time to start that planning. It is time to lay that groundwork.

What we are doing now is not working out so well for us any longer. Continuing with the same strategy is unlikely to bring different results. You don't have to use the fact that Republicans control every branch of the Federal Government, look at the State level. How many State legislatures do Democrats now control? How many Governorship's?

Cynicism toward politicians is continually growing and every scandal that involves the influence bought with money increases it. And cynicism always plays to the Republicans advantage when they can get away with saying "both sides do it". And they get away just fine saying that even if they get caught three times as often as Democrats. Idealists get disgusted and turn away, which leaves the field to the Republicans, which is exactly how they want it. And they have done very well with this status quo. And it is all about to get worse. People are about to receive a road map to exactly how the super rich manipulate the political process. The Democratic Party is leaking members relative to Independents who are growing. And that process is happening fastest with Millennials - who are now more numerous than surviving Boomers.

You and I no doubt agree that there is a huge difference between the Democratic and Republican parties. Unfortunately that view is not shared widely enough to even get our own voters to the polls during off year elections.