the winners take all

Democrats as the greatest threat to them. As a result they justify to themselves anything they do to destroy Democrats.

Thanks.

are truly lost.

Why would not doing the right thing be something that gets you elected? The fabled safe harbor in the middle doesn't exist, or at least it doesn't any more. It's ridiculous to be politically afraid of one's own values.

I know if I were in a position of authority, and I were called to testify, I would do it. Period. My country comes first, and I would do anything I could to protect it.

That those in political power would ignore the truth of what is going on, and just sit there and protect themselves, is beyond disgusting to me. I will never understand how anyone could choose to ignore the damage that is being done to this country, and continue to allow it to happen.

No wonder I have high blood pressure.

Without millions of racists, sexists, and grifters, and hundreds of millions who didn't care to stop him, Trump would still be a random sociopathic media star. Same thing for most Republican representatives.

We blame politicians for the evil that lives in the hearts of a huge percentage of the public.

What were they thinking?

I'd bet Machiavelli knew. He was cynical enough to know everything. Maybe someone familiar with his work knows for sure.

even when it's difficult. I have to respect Heidi Heitkamp, and respect her the more for her loss because she acted as you suggest.

What's that quote from the Scottish play? "Nothing in his life became him like the meaving of it"?

It is how things were supposed to be. And, this little problem can be fixed fairly easily. Two words that will solve the problem, and therefore will never be allowed.

TERM LIMITS.

I mean real ones. There should be no such thing as a career politician. That is just another word for 'nobility'... something we were supposed to stop allowing to happen.

from having people around who know what's going on. There isn't the slightest bit of evidence that "lame ducks" offer any more integrity or fidelity than any other pol. And there's a good bit on the anecdotal side that says there's actually an "increase" in self interest and self dealing for the short termers.

And finally , this is anti-democratic .. since when did placing restrictions on who can be on the ballot become a democratic ideal? This is basically a Republican talking point (along with voting restrictions). Keep your damned hands off my ballot, if you don't mind! I'll vote for who I WANT to!

If you don't want to vote for YOUR rep ... then DON"T. Simple as that.

Its team blue vs red. You need to think of it more on the national scale.

trivializes integrity and justifies extremism.

and I totally agree with you.
I love seeing someone able to do both at the same time, gracefully: Sharice Davids in KS. Assuming she wins again, which I believe she will if there are actual elections. And that's an if. But let's not go there.

of person I want to elect and send to DC - someone who will represent my interests even if it means not getting reelected.

We don't have many of those.