2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I've gotta say this. [View all]pat_k
(9,313 posts)Perhaps the term cynicism doesn't quit fit. I use the term to refer to people who have a general lack of faith or hope in the human species. I think of it as distinct from realism. For me, one who doesn't expect people to "behave in ways that, it turns out, they generally don't," is a realist. I think of a cynic as one whose loss of faith in people goes beyond realism. In the context of politics, it manifests as a belief that anything we do to change things will be futile.
The root of my frustration is the seeming incongruity between (1) being a Bernie supporter, which seems to me to require a good deal of faith in the ability of people to effect change, and (2) an absolutist belief that with Hillary in the White House any effort to bring about change is futile. It's the folks whose posts express these incongruous beliefs I have trouble with. In my judgement, the latter belief goes beyond realism into cynicism. My judgment may of course be wrong. Any effort to bring about change with Hillary in office may in fact be futile.
That said, adjusting my expectations, and gaining a better understanding of where people are "coming from" through the exchanges I've had with folks who replied to the OP has gone a long way to resolving my frustration.
Tempering hope and confidence with realistic expectations is tricky. Your advice is well taken. ("Don't expect people in general to do good things - it's nice when they do, and it may happen at times and in ways that will surprise you, but you won't be dependent on their behavior when you decide something is worth striving for."
Thanks again.