I am so sick of being identified with politics.

[MistressStevie]

Originally Posted by JamieTS

If you think your life means more than just a vote for a politician on any side, then you are just fooling yourself.

Mark Twain also pointed out that "We have the best political system that money can buy." [brainyquote confrims]

Politicians are after our votes for the money and power. What ever else comes our way is secondary to that for the most part. This is why the wise founders of the USofA included mostly limits on the power of government in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We should be cautious when a politician of any stripe tosses a favor the way of our special interest no matter how close it is to our heart for they will want us to accept some compromise that grows their power in the end.

JamieTS, from what I can read your posts are thoughtful and you would be pleasurable to spend time and conversation with. It is the character that one presents and the action delivered and deliverable that should be the measure of a person. Where we are going from here is really what counts the most.
It is equally shortsighted to judge people by politics alone. I have good friends from the left and the right, the anarchist and the statist too. Intelligent people can agree to disagree on move on.

Where one has been is less important than where one is going! No people have the same backgrounds, experiences, biology, or abilities. The opportunities of where one goes from here is what really counts. And again, it is what we have in common and can accomplish together the determines more of the future. Those seeking to divide, may also have some motive with less than pure intentions.

Although it is not as biting as Carlin, John Wayne did an interesting spoken work piece on the hyphen dividing or bridging back in 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6N4zKM2cZs

Build bridges not walls!