I have been involved in politics since Gene McCarthy in 1968. I have always worked hard during election years for Democratic candidates from President, on down to County Commissioner. I have dropped out of college to work on campaigns, and taken a leave of absence from my jobs. In 2008 I supported Obama from the day he announced in Springfield in January 2007, right through to election day in November, 2008.
Right now I am so discouraged (actually distraught) that I don't know if I can find the energy and/or enthusiasm to spend any effort in the 2012 campaigns. I feel like I fell for a fake Democrat in the White House and many many fake Democrats in Congress.
I know the President is dealing with a great many right wing crazies in Congress; but he had other options than to cave in to their demands. He did not get a whole heck of a lot of help from some Democrats in Congress either. On every major issue it seems the Republicans have won, despite the Dems having the White House and a majority in the Senate. What a joke!
Sometimes I think we need three parties - a liberal party, a conservative party and a middle of the road party. I have a feeling, given all the poll results about cutting the big three and ending the wars, that the liberal party would do quite well. The budget from the Progressive wing of the party would have been extremely popular with many people if it had seen the light of day.
Next year I will in all likelihood vote for Obama (God knows what else he may do between now and the election) but I will not spend one ounce of energy on his behalf. In all likelihood I will pick a few Members of Congress to make calls for - but it will only be those I completely trust. I just received a fundraising e mail from Ben Nelson - I almost barfed. I can not even begin to express how disillusioned I am; especially as I think back to election night in Grant Park and crying my eyes out with happiness.
In a way, it's good that Teddy Kennedy is not here to see this. He would be heartbroken.