And I use the term cynicism in the narrow definition of the belief that people are ultimately inspired by base motives. The historical Cynics, in the Greek philosophical tradition are a lot more nuanced, and terribly interesting, but my comments are not going to address that complexity. I reject the one-to-one comparisons of the current "IRS targeting" scandals to Watergate. But my sense is that both the Nixon and Obama presidencies are incredibly cynical.
I'm old enough to remember how the phrase "Bring Us Together" fortified Nixon's campaign in 1968. And aware how the invocation of "hope" resounds through a few Dem campaigns for the presidency: "Keep Hope Alive", from Jesse Jackson, "A Place Called Hope (Arkansas)" from Bill Clinton, and ultimately Barack Obama's "Hope and Change."
I voted for Obama enthusiastically in 2008, in 2012, as the least of evils.
"I read the news today, oh boy.."
There seems to be bi-partisan agreement that NSA spying is cool. Interest rates on student loans are going up. (oh, we love our children, and think education is so important that leading figures, e.g. Leon Panetta, team up with damaged for-profit colleges like Corinthian, because that's where the bucks are. Similarly, both California Dems voted down oversight over for-profit colleges-Dianne's husband wheels and deals in that area, and he is a UC regent to boot)
I remember Bob Dylan saying of Barack Obama: "He's like a fictional character." Indeed.
This site heralds itself as a "community action" place. But what is an effective mechanism to take this stuff down?
And how do you feel when, at this very point in time, Obama comes to the Bay Area, to discuss "Obamacare" with rich donors?