I took a couple years off from visiting DKos. I had a lot to think about, and I've done a lot of thinking. My last diary I wrote before taking a break was basically a temper tantrum, being frustrated over libertarians stealing the civil liberties youth vote. Many people called me out on being shortsighted, and they were right. I am sorry. I am young and inexperienced, I'll be the first to admit. It seems like every year I age, I look back on myself from a year earlier and think "wow, what an idiot I was!". Who knows, next year I'll probably be thinking the same thing about myself now.
I joined this site in the height of the first Obama election after growing up in the Bush era as a teenager, my first ballot cast in the first election I was old enough to vote in was for Obama. I think it resulted in me becoming too idealistic (and hence, too prone to feeling stabbed in the back when I first realized that Obama wasn't the perfect man I thought he was, while I'm sure older visitors here have seen this play a hundred times and know better than to expect perfection).
I came back to see how things are over here in reaction to the recent NSA fiasco. I understand that there are two main camps involved, and while I'm in the "NSA is going way too far and these programs should be shut down yesterday" camp, I understand the concerns of the other camp who worries that excessive focus on these issues undermines the other aspects of progressive policy. I don't want this diary to be another one that opens that can of worms, so I'm here to ask for suggestions for ways I can make my voice heard on privacy issues while NOT giving steam to the 'government is always bad' Tea Party types.
Because I'm a bit frustrated, you know? It's frustrating being caught between shit (supporting the Democratic party no matter what and doing/saying whatever is needed to not hurt them) and shittier (giving steam to Cruz/Paul and co.). I feel powerless, and it doesn't help that I feel like Hillary Clinton is going to continue these policies if she's the nominee in 2016. My own senators (Feinstein and Boxer) are both pro-NSA spying and seem unlikely to be primaried. My local GOP congresscritter seems strong if 2010 was any indication (and he voted for Amash-Conyers, again, like driving a knife in my heart).
I miss that feeling in 2008, where I campaigned for, donated to, and enthusiastically supported a Democrat because I genuinely supported him and looked forward to seeing what he would do, instead of supporting a Democrat just because the Republican option is so much worse. So I'm coming out of my shell to ask for suggestions. I want to support Democrats, but I want to support Wyden, Conyers, Udall, etc. Democrats. What sort of organizations/action groups could I maybe look into to accomplish this? Any suggestions are welcome. Anything to get out of this endless waltz of "Well what are you gonna do about, it, vote Republican? I didn't think so, now get back in line".
