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In reply to the discussion: I Have a Pledge to Make. Who Will Join Me? [View all]Fearless
(18,421 posts)Last edited Wed Dec 21, 2011, 08:09 PM - Edit history (1)
The fact is that people have a right to be angry at all politicians right now, to be critical of them all. Not critical as in overly sensitive without evidence. The evidence of the ineptitude of BOTH Republicans and Democrats is widespread. Look at ANY attempt made to alleviate the suffering of the working and middle class of this nation and you'll see what obstructionist, politicking, special interest backing people they are. All of them. Not some. All. Too often we expect our politicians to be activists for our causes. They are NOT. They are paid representatives of positions. Whoever pays them is who gets lip-service.
Being critical of the president for his actions or inaction is the natural precipitate of the disappointment of people who thought he was in fact their activist for their ideas. So is it of being critical of any politician. He is labeled as pro-corporate for backing the bailouts of the big banks but balking on providing true relief to the masses. He is labeled as anti-LGBT for his choice of Rev. Wright and for his publicly stated belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Just to name a few.
But to be fair, the list is pretty damn long for John Boehner too, or Harry Reid, or Mitt Romney. We are critical of them too, for the same reasons. They are all owned, their political lives funded, primarily by wealthy conservative or corporate special interest groups. To say they are different is an order of magnitude and nothing more.
Some will say, but really President Obama or John Boehner (or whomever) REALLY believes X Y and Z, but they have to say A, B, and C to be taken seriously. This is the last resort of the desperate fool. Hoping that a candidate or current politician actually holds the opposite view regardless of the evidence to the contrary. Polling shows that people will vote for X Y and Z dependably, but it doesn't matter. Money comes from supporting A B and C and in the end, you'll vote for them anyway if they can get you to believe that they're still on your side-- regardless of the fact that they are hurting you.
If you want specific legislation passed find your activists. Politicians only listen to you if you pay them.