I'm not sure if this is going to be a diary or veer off into the land of ranting, I'm just very very angry and frustrated right now.
After liberals threw their support behind the Democratic Party helping them gain control of the Federal government, I had hoped the Democrats would, if not at least drift to the left, help their very popular President implement his agenda.
After watching Congress refuse to give the President money to close GITMO, I have become totally disllusioned.
America is a two party democracy. Two political parties have rigged the system to make sure third parties cannot gain any traction, even if they can attract intelligent and qualified people.
After the American public had rejected Republicans in 2006 and 2008, the Democrats gained control of the Federal government. I had hoped this would mean the Democrats would stop trying to act like Republican-lite, which they did for many years going back to the 1980's, at least.
Of course I can't fault Democrats for their Republican impersonations in the 1980's and 1990's, because the American public did embrace Republican ideology and Republicans were winning elections.
Since Americans no longer accept Republican ideology, no longer identify with the Republican Party, and as a recent poll showed only regular church goers are not leaving the Republican Party in large number, I hoped the Democrats would realize this is the time to shine; the time to stand up for what they believe in and do something to undo the damage Republicans have done to our country.
Watching Republicans take firm control of the political debates in this country, such as on the stimulus bill, what seems like the total capitulation to the insurance industry on healthcare reform, and now overwhelming caving into the Republican talking points for closing GITMO, I see no point in continuing to participate in our political process.
Why vote? There's only one political party, in reality and it's the Republican Party. The Democrats are their bitch and will do what the Republicans tell them to do. Voting for more Democrats won't change a damn thing. They are as much a part of the problem, as anything.
If there was a third party that could get on my ballot, I might reconsider, but as it stands now I think all the votes I cast for Democrats are wasted votes.
I live in NJ's 3rd congressional district. Even after Jim Sexton retired and the Democrats stood a chance of taking his seat, in the 2008 elections, the race was very close. I felt my vote mattered in the Congressional race. I was actually happy to vote in 2008 thinking things would change.
I was duped. I was suckered. And now I don't know if I'll just drop out of the political process.
American politics: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.