An interesting read, though a bit too fatalist imo, in the way that I believe it's the people that have lost hope, not the situation that his hopeless. And people have lost hope because they are not informed, or don't get themselves informed properly.

For example : "Should we hold our noses and spend our precious agent-of-change vote on a third party that we must, honestly, acknowledge cannot win at any state or federal level, simply because we wish a conscience free from the knowledge that we voted for ANY party hostile to our values?"

That is a little naïve. To change things significantly you don't need a third party to win. In a politically bipolar country such as the US, bringing a third party up to a 5% of votes would already be a major political revolution, as both the GOP and Democrats would need to fight for these 5%, seek coallitions etc... The 5% would then get more "airplay", more visibility, and most probably voters, until it reaches 10%, starts winning a seat or two etc... it's a virtuous circle. That's why if you feel closer to a small party you should not hesitate to vote for it.

Stretching both GOP and Democrat policies to "slavery" is wrong, and wont help in getting everyone to work together, believe and trust one another. However bad I can consider politicians, especially in the US and especially the current administration, I'm confident the vast majority of the people engaged in politics are honest and dedicated without any cruel intention.
The problem imo is more how someone gets on top and what are the means needed to get there rather than the ideology, and what it's worth, of any party. The whole political system needs a big breath of fresh air. The only way for the "big machines" to even think of opening and renewing their own institution is to realise that they need to.

That won't happen until a third party breaks their confort, which is much easier and accessible than the people are led to think.


Ponrauil