Folks, if you don't like the outcome of today's deal, just keep this in mind: Democratic Congresses don't shut down. That only happens when Republicans control one or both chambers of the legislative branch.
Republicans aren't going to play by our rules, and just politely hand us back what we lost. They aren't out there simply to hold Democrats accountable. They're aiming to destroy what you believe in, and keep you humiliated, despised, and on your knees for the rest of your life.
You can't beat that by finding excuses to cop out, or by leaving the party in disgust. It's been the absences,out of disgust, that has kept our party submissive and humiliated for some time. If you're not there voting, if you're not their writing the checks, if you aren't a constant power in the party, you might as well not exist to them.
Your response to events like this should not be to tune out and drop out.
Yes, you've been dealt so many disappointments and so many half-ass and just full-ass shit sandwiches. But what do you expect, given where our party is, and where it's coming from?
It's not going to take a miracle to turn this country around, but instead hard work, and willpower the likes of which we've never had to maintain. We're going to have to decide that we want this regardless of whether our politicians are worthy of it or not.
If we depend on the politicians to inspire and motivate us, if we depend on a constant stream of unequivocal victories, then this is all over before it starts. We must motivate ourselves and others based on what we know, based on what we feel, and not wait for things to improve by themselves on the other end.
If you find what Obama did disappointing, fine. Then be part of the movement that organizes to undo what you found so objectionable. Don't wait for somebody else to lead your revolution. Have the courage to do so yourself.