Until a viable 3rd party emerges I dont see how this can be a discussion held by rational non-hateful adults.

In general, I agree that there’s a huge difference between Democrats and Republicans, and recently there have been quite a few Democrats who seem extremely determined and driven to make some long overdue changes... BUT: again, for the last few decades, Democrats have shown themselves to be not only willing, but…

Voting decides whether poor black people get access to housing, healthcare, and a social safety net.

Peachy. Just Peachy. And once again we see the Dolt45 administration taking “how could they possibly do any worse?” not as a rhetorical question, but as a challenge.

I think one problem with white privilege is that a lot of white people, most I think, don’t realize they have it. They don’t realize there’s anything they need to learn to grow.

It matters plenty; as far as I can tell, voting doesn’t prevent a person’s server from being rude (or worse), it doesn’t keep black people from getting followed around department stores or other businesses because they look “suspicious” ... I could probably think of dozens of examples, but my point is: voting has…

That’s... charitable, I guess. I agree he should have at least called the behavior racist, but I also think we need to quit coddling racists, pandering to them, desperately trying to change them... it’s up to them to decide they need to reflect on their racist attitudes and behaviors, to generally acknowledge that…

And until these people let their defenses down, until they take a step back and ask themselves honestly “wait, am *I* part of the problem?” we will be pretty much stuck where we are now. As always, the burden is on the people with racist attitudes and tendencies - whether they’re overt and obvious, or covert and…

telling racists that they’re racist doesn’t magically make them become less racist. That’s a lovely myth...

Here’s my Tepid Take™: Libby is right, anyone who can’t bring themselves to vote for a candidate because they’re black is racist, full stop. In fact, probably hella racist. Hell, there were even lots of racists who did vote for Obama, because as uncomfortable as they were with a “Kenyan Socialist Muslim [add more salty…

A lot of trans folk do in fact identify as “he” or “she” - but I’ll bet you know that already, Trolly ;)

I cannot waste time talking about Clinton when there is too much shit now to care about.

That actually seems like a distinct possibility, although I certainly wouldn’t assume it’s likely, especially given there have been plenty of elections where people have hoped for - even predicted - high turnout among young people (say, 18-25), black people, etc. but it never materialized. But yeah, polls are probably…

Luckily for Repubs, people younger than 40 tend to have lower turnout rates than those over 40 - in some demographic slices of the pie, much lower. I’m no expert, but I’m guessing TV ads still pay off, and will continue to, at least in the short term.

As I mentioned to others, ArmoredTitan made a point to characterize Weiner and Clinton’s acts as consensual, which is basically what I was objecting to. I agree Republicans need to be held to a higher standard - much higher. I just thought it was important to clarify that doesn’t mean we should ever hold Dems to a…

No one is making excuses...

There are different dimensions of their, uh, “encounter” (maybe more than one?)... on a personal level, I think he was always using her and didn’t really care about her. I’m sure she was into him (maybe his position was a factor in that attraction?), but I think that kinda misses the larger point; the responsible…

I think it may have been both - ArmoredTitan made sure to stress the (apparently) consensual nature of Clinton and Weiner’s, uh, “indiscretions.” Consent is questionable at best when it comes to minors or subordinates. But I agree that Republicans should be held to a higher standard - probably even higher than Dems…

I know; I’m actually old enough to remember. (Boy, I really don’t miss Ken Starr.) My reply was directed at anyone who’s tempted to downplay Clinton and Weiner’s behavior as “not as bad as” [insert Republican scumbag]’s rape/assault, so it’s unfair how they actually face consequences of their actions.