Originally Posted by
MED
I spent my early years working in a congressional office, a think tank, and two state legislatures. I changed careers because I quickly learned there is a problem with the system, and the work was entirely too frustrating. Jefferson was a proponent of a small federal government because it was understood what happens with money and power. The rules that confined the federal government were swept under the rug so the machine runs rampant. I strongly believe that the tail wags the dog when it comes to our government. When it comes to our Congressman and Senators, there are good ones and bad ones, but one universal truth is that power corrupts and this machine can be exploited with those willing to use that power.
After the '94 election, the interest groups that made up the Democratic Party were slashing each others throats and alienating the moderates. Consequently, they kept losing elections. During the Bush administration, they came together, and Colorado is the case study. Rutt Bridges and few other wealthy Democrats rebuilt the coalition in Colorado, pushed a favorable redistricting map, and changed the politics in this state. The sad thing is that they successfully recruited moderate Republicans that the conservatives pushed out of the party and consequently took control. The socialists in the Democratic Party moderate there agenda to a certain extent and it is a death by duck bite approach so as not to alienate the moderates, but the eventual outcome is so incredibly disastrous if you believe in liberty. Today, the interest groups that make up the Republican Party are doing exactly what the Democrats did in the 90s. Our losses will continue until we rebuild the coalition (not party, not one interest group's beliefs, but an entire coalition right of center). If the moderates and conservatives are not willing to work together and find common ground, we can just resign ourselves to bitching about it from the outside looking in and watch the American Dream fade into darkness. I have no problem going after corrupt politicians, but if the general view of the party is so negative as shown by the OP, then we are screwed.