I think the best way to promote progressive policies is to support Democratic candidates.

I don't always agree with everything they do, and sometimes I'm disgusted by how cowardly and conservative they can be. But I recognize that they're the only chance we have to make real progress, and I don't want to add to the constant shitstorm of abuse and vilification coming from the organized Republican reactionaries who just want to drag them down.

As much as I hate having to settle for the lesser evil at times, I've lived long enough to see what happens when the greater evil gets a free pass, and I know it makes enough of a difference to be worth fighting for.

So I don't really feel comfortable siding with either the bashers or the cheerleaders when things start getting nasty around here, and I don't see much point in wading into the crossfire. The term "third way" comes to mind, but that's already been appropriated by stealth Republicans. The term "middle way" has some interesting spiritual resonance but just seems wishy-washy in a political context.

Maybe I should start a "no-team" team for people who just don't fit into the extreme team purity squads and don't always agree on everything. Then again, maybe that's what most of the Democratic Party already is.