339 Comments
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Deb Nance's avatar

One of your best Sasha.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

i thoroughly enjoyed this piece too Deb.

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vader's avatar

Ms Stone is a great writer but it isn't all that complicated. It really goes back to Occupy Wall Street. It was an anti-rich movement. The donor class soiled themselves. Obama, now the part of the club, jumped in to help. The movement got broken/divided through identity politics. Suddenly it wasn't about the 1% but race, gender, sexual orientation, etc anything but class. Marx must be turning in his grave that these identitarians are called Marxists.

By 2016, people got exhaused (bad economy didn't help) and many saw through the nonsense. Populism was on the rise and that frigtened the donor class, now firmly controlling the Democratic Party. They tore down Bernie Sanders, the populist candidate, in favor of the establishment one wrapped in the identitarian package (first woman POTUS), though big part of the blame is on Sanders for getting in line so easily. The stage was set to keep the status quo.

But something unexpected happened. On the Republican side, not only the populist candidate wouldn't be intimidated into toeing the line or dropping out, but the Republican voters went overwhelmingly for him. Populist movement that Democrats shunned, found its home on the other side. And he won over the status quo candidate.

PANIC

Tl;dr Democrats never recovered from becoming donor's lapdogs. They sacrificed Sanders for Biden in 2020 again. They would run Biden if the faithful interview didn't happen. Then they pivoted to Harris perhaps the most establishment candidate of all. Voters rejected her. This type of salon politician who doesn't know how to talk to people who aren't high class has become Democrats default nominee. Even Biden's Scranton Joe veneer is just that. They are people who only understand the elite and no one else. That's why they are out of touch.

One would think that after such a massive electoral debacle, Democrats would find a way to keep Harris from any office. Wrong. They are already cleaning the field for her gubernatorial run in California. Despite losing 2B of donor money, donors still press for this type of a candidate because they protect the 1%. That's all there is. Identifty politcs have been created to protect 1% by keeping 99% divided and distracted. That's why Democrats will have hard time going back to their working class roots.

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Deb Nance's avatar

It happened in different ways for different people, but it's clear they have sabotaged themselves.

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Is It Aliens?'s avatar

Flagging this comment for the AI that writes the history of the last decade plus. This is the conclusion normal, educated and curious ppl of our time have come to about our recent past. Now, any thoughts on the multiple civil wars breaking out on the Right? I wish we, of independent thought, could stay here in the moment we found out we were all right. But, alas, competing narratives find their way to my mind’s doorstep once again.

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vader's avatar

different opinions are good. falling in line behind one is not.

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Is It Aliens?'s avatar

I am optimistic about our future because there are now debates of ideas available to us all. The Right is engaging in these debates, and one can ignore the stones they are throwing at each other as long as they overall agree that more speech is best. No society is perfect, but they need to try. When they stop trying, it will be time to catch the next bus.

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Kutsen's avatar

It is beautiful.

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Alan V. Cecil's avatar

Perfection!

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Al Singer's avatar

At the risk of plagiarizing Ron Reagan…I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me. As it left you! Stand firm. Keep up your outstanding work!

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HL3's avatar

Sasha clearly left the party she isnt even progressive to 2000s standards and her reddit comments even then clearly stated she was a centrist democrat.

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R H's avatar

Here's how bad the Democrats have shifted. My first time voting was 1979 in the Alabama Demoncat primary (was an open primary state and I knew I was voting Reagan in the Presidential Election). I knew Reagan would win the Republican primary in Alabama whether I voted for him or not, so I chose to vote for Carter in the Demoncat primary to vote against Ted Kennedy who scared the hell out of me. Turned out to be a good choice.

But, who killed the Demoncat party? That's an easy one; the great Uniter Hussein Obama.

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HL3's avatar

Hyperpartisanship killed both parties we go between one extreme to the next never having unity or where both sides have a say.

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George Christian Ortloff's avatar

Unity between the parties is not the answer in democracy. Getting along for the sake of getting along is not democratic. VOTING is the answer, and counting the votes, and accepting. We "divide the house" as Roberts' Rules of Order puts it, because a "division of the house" (aka taking a vote) is the way we determine which way we will go forward. Division in that sense is very different from war, or a knife fight, or cowering to a bully. Division (taking a vote) is the natural order of democracy and is literally our salvation (from war, knife fights, rule by bullies). In the Iowa caucuses, we see this: the mass of caucus-attendees physically divides themselves, to different parts of the room, and stands to be counted, one-by-one. When we take a vote in democratic bodies like Congress, we do the counting by electronic means, but the effect is the same.

Then, after the vote, and ONLY afterward, the question that divided us having been DECIDED, the entire body politic (is supposed to) respond, "We have decided. Let it be so."

So, yes, you are right that disunity AFTER the vote, is a problem. But "going along to get along" is ANTI-democratic.

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234's avatar

If you think the Republican party has been killed, you"re brain dead.

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HL3's avatar

It many ways it has look at the Reagan party vs now.

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Madarain Jones's avatar

Another worthless observation. Your still batting an thousand.

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HL3's avatar

Everything a liberal says is worthless for you

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David1964's avatar

Brava, Sasha, Brava! Not just because you’re on “our side,” although I’m delighted that you are, but also because of your courage and insistence on honest soul-searching and insistence on moral clarity.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

agreed!

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ALLYSONRT's avatar

This article is so so good! I understand your transient ( no pun intended) from a Democrat to Republican so well. I grew up in tbe San Fernando Valley with Jewish parents who were Democrats since Roosevelt. ( if they only knew then what we know now!) It was as Tevye said his song " Tradition" for a Jew to be a Democrat.. Then 911 came and like the explosions that took place, my world changed overnight. I have lost friends and relatives along the way but found a whole new group of people who were like me. A liberal conservative. I didn't change, the Democrats lost their marbles. Great article! Mazel Tov!

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Brian M's avatar

I am also a libertarian (classic liberal) Jew who is much more comfortable on the side of the GOP (I am not a party guy) especially now that Trump has transformed it into a populist / libertarian party and ditched the neoCons who made me cringe. This is a good place, right in the middle among the working class that I consider "my people"

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Andrew Collins's avatar

The neoCons are now just a more odious version of a Lib.

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Brian M's avatar

Got that right!

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HL3's avatar

Trump has done an excellent job mending the old wounds from the libertarian split they weren't really Democrats to begin with when the split happens, but their sheer hate of Bush Sr caused it.

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HL3's avatar

Right... compare your stances when you considered yourself a liberal to know I am pretty sure it has changed or you are that old was part of the bible belt Democrats and in that case I am surprised you lasted that long.

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Ken Macko's avatar

I’m on board with that never ever voting Democrat again. If there’s not a decent Republican running, it’ll be no vote. But never ever will I vote for ANYONE with a D next to the name.

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Ataraxis's avatar

This is the way. If you vote for any centrist Dem, as soon as they get into office they will vote for transing kids and DEI. They can never, ever be trusted. The same with RINO’s.

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Greg's avatar

I'd love to be able to vote for "None of the above". If None of the above wins, the seat stays vacant.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

yes, can we add that extra box???

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Greg's avatar

Or move to Nevada where it is an option

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Richard's avatar

But the actual person with the most votes is declared the winner

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Greg's avatar

Not aware of that piece to the Nevada puzzle. In my mind, better to leave the position vacant if if none of the above wins. I can dream.

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Yolanda Pritam Hari's avatar

i like that idea. it's more of a statement.

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Dena's avatar

Never have voted dem, never will. To me they were always the weak minded, hypocritical party. Phony & manipulative, Obama was the pinnacle of all that. I thank God for Trump’s courage.

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Sharon's avatar

And if by not voting, your self-righteousness allows a Democrat to win, you're okay with that? In my experience, people who are so concerned with protecting their own perceived purity by sitting out an election aren't that passionate about the country to begin with. We need to fight for the truth, whether our reps pass every smell test or not.

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Ken Macko's avatar

Self righteousness ? Huh ? Bottom line is in addition to not voting for a D, I’m also done voting for “the lesser of 2 evils”. Just because someone has an R by their name isn’t proof positive. Ever hear of a RINO ? Might be worse than a real Dem ! Kinzinger, Cheney. Nuff said.

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Andrew Collins's avatar

It means something in party-line votes. Part of the game my friend.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

The Republicans may not be able to solve all the problems, but it’s the Democrats that CAUSED THEM.

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Kate's avatar

The difference between us and Democrats is that Democratic voters WILL vote for the D no matter if a decent one is running or not. Just look at the ones sitting in Congress. They will literally vote for a tuna sandwich if it's got the D. They will vote for anyone or thing that protects the "agenda." And conservatives won't, which says something good about conservatives, but is also why they lost and liberals won for so long until very recently.

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Christine Smith's avatar

Obama’s “hope and change” and determination to “fundamentally change America” worked…it killed the Democrat party, along with everything divisive they’ve thrown at society.

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AncientViking's avatar

That, and corrupt money (lots and lots of it), from very corrupt sources... More scams and schemes than can be counted... Those with the corruption $$$$ know how to appeal to the worst of human nature...

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Christine Smith's avatar

Agree, but that went beyond the democrats… that was (is?) the globalist uniparty.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

In her book, “Mao’s America” Xi Van Fleet draws many parallels between the Woke progressive Democrats in our country and the Communism of Mao in the 60’s. Scary stuff.

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Martin Rossol's avatar

I have close family who detest? that I voted for Trump. "How could you?" Well, there are plenty of reasons I might offer, but this, Sasha, is likely the best 'post' that gets at the heart of the issue. Please, don't stop writing; don't stop getting your 'head' on 'paper'.

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D Parker's avatar

It should be clear to the Democrats and everyone else that they need to rebuild their party from its ideological foundation on up, the question is whether they are up to the task.

They have to tear it down and replace their fundamental belief in collectivism with something else – something that works.

But then after that, they won't be Democrats.

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Brian M's avatar

Which foundation is that? The centrist libertarian Democrats like JFK or the Leftist, neoMarxist, Progressives like Bernie Sanders and AOC?

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D Parker's avatar

That would be the communist – fascist far left, isn’t that obvious?

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Trapped in IL's avatar

Exactly right, which is why they refuse to do it. They aren’t about to give up their climate crisis or their open borders or their transgender policy. The left is also the party of the Global Elite. They want to depopulate the world, and if you think about it, that is why they support all these off the wall things.

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DMang's avatar

Trump has transformed the Republican party in a positive way, gaining voters from all demographics along the way. The Dems have done the complete opposite. Many elected and unelected Republicans who early on voiced opposition to Trump have now come around to see what real effective leadership is, whether you agree with his policies or not. And look what it has done to the opposition party. They haven’t been this low in customer satisfaction in decades. There is no force in the Blue party with Trump’s appeal who has the courage to make a serious attempt to reform the party into something interesting to voters. They fear the cancel culture they so eagerly embraced to ruin their political opponents that is now being used against members of their own party who step out of line. The result is they are now trapped in the bubble of conformity and homogeneity. There is no strong leader in the Dem party to put a stop to the nonsense that has defined them in their current iteration. They are rudderless, weak and tone deaf to the concerns of average Americans at this point.

It has been a pleasant surprise for the last two months to see that in American politics actions speak louder than words. Keep it up I say.

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D Parker's avatar

President Trump either created or tapped into a vibe that is hopefully transforming politics. After over 100 years of lies from the left on the structure of the political spectrum, people are learning the truth and for the left, losing credibility is like going bankrupt – its gradual at first, then happens all at once. And with that they are going to find it difficult to recover.

How the left can get out of the political wilderness, advice they will never take.

https://parkerd.substack.com/p/how-the-left-can-get-out-of-the-political

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ah-clem's avatar

A thouoght I had about your pledge to never vote democrat again. You had good reasons for avoiding republican candidates in your earlier years. Then over time the behavior of both parties drifted. Pledging eternal aliegence to either is likely to come back and bite you eventually. My suggestion is to keep an eye on them both, trust neither, and adapt as needed.

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Oakley's avatar

So true. Power corrupts and the temptation is great. We must pray for our leaders earnestly and with the knowledge that their feet are made of clay.

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Deborah's avatar

I am nearly 70 and have never voted for a Democrat in my life. I didn't like some of the Republicans but they were still better than the Democrat.

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steven t koenig's avatar

If my math is correct she's old enough that another swing is probably not in the cards.

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HL3's avatar

Yea a change in ideology requires a massive physiological transformation event and people only have so many in their life.

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HL3's avatar

There is a point where people will never vote for a party ever again because of their sheer hatred for the party.

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ah-clem's avatar

I think you're proving my point. After Nixon's prolonging of the Viet Nam war, trying to deport John Lennon, doubling down on making people peaceful criminals for smoking pot, etc., I hated the republican party. However, I actually voted for Trump this time, and that was not an easy thing for me to do. I simply won't give blind alegance to either party now, after seeing how it can turn on you.

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HL3's avatar

I will not blind loyalty vote but I will not vote for a party that goes against my ideology either.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

The democrats seldom if ever break ranks in their voting. They are not a voice of their constituents. Power corrupts absolutely. Here in blue Illinois you don’t get a choice. It’s basically a uniparty. Even the republicans are democrats.

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HL3's avatar

MAGA rarely break ranks either

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The Fourth Turning's avatar

10,000 likes.

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lily weber's avatar

Correct my math. You graduated at 29, then worked 30 years putting you at ~60? No way.

This is a great article. I literally forgot about the pancake syrup n Dr Seuss. Gee it got ugly. What crazy people there are. The child abuse, yes it is abuse, is a hill to die on. For shame on these counselors and doctors. I don't view the medical institutions like I used to. Not since covid and the trans cult. They spit on the oath to do no harm. Even though my grandkids are home schooled, I worry for their future. The entire world is batshit crazy. Trump can't fix that! WEF is hellbent to make slaves of us all through chaos and instability. God help us. God bless you, Sasha

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Tom Potts's avatar

The syrup is now called Pearl Milling

Homeschool in the classical Socratic method is the best way to educate children. Don’t forget to integrate God Almighty into the curriculum. Your grandchildren will be better prepared for the future.

Trump can’t fix the world, but he can help make the playing field more level again.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

Our grands go to parochial schools, where hopefully they can escape the Marxist teachings in Illinois public schools. Trump can’t possibly undue the chaos that Biden and the Dems have unleashed on our great country in the time he has without the help of almighty God, so please pray for our country, our children, and especially President Trump.

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Kate's avatar

Hopefully, but I have heard of Catholic schools turning very woke. No place is immune to the woke virus. Catholic colleges like Loyola and DePaul are some of the worst around.

And Episcopal schools are the worst of all. Woke AF. They're run by left-wing female "priests."

I was formerly trapped in IL, LOL. But I escaped 6 years ago.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

Yes we have a woke pope right now, but the schools our grands are at are conservative, thankfully. Pritzker has “wokified” our public schools, so we have to stay vigilant with the public high schools they will be attending. College is another story altogether!

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James C's avatar

Wow! Thank you for articulating this!

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Julie Reeser's avatar

One of your best! And that Meatloaf song is in my top ten all-time faves list!!

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Megan Leigh Abernathy's avatar

Yes, I love how she ends her articles with a dance party 💃

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Ataraxis's avatar

Sasha’s writings will be studied 100 years from now. Guaranteed.

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26+6=One Ireland's avatar

Bitch, moan, complain, whine, yell. Dems are miserably unhappy, confused and they lack God in their lives.

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NWCitizen's avatar

And the right worships the orange god.

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26+6=One Ireland's avatar

Not I. He's the president and is much better than your last two dem presidents. I only worship Jesus. I kneel to no earthly man.

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Tom Potts's avatar

✝️

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Tom Potts's avatar

No we don’t , we worship King Jesus if we are Christian or YHWH if we are either Christian or Jewish.

We both look at Trump and see King Cyrus the Persian Emperor. Is Trump a Christian? I have no idea. He does surround himself with good people, including many Jewish people. His daughter is a Jewish convert and some of his grandchildren are Jewish . King Cyrus was a very helpful pagan who assisted the Jewish people return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.

Trump will face King Jesus at the White Throne on the Day of the Lord, just like everyone else, for Judgement.

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Trapped in IL's avatar

When I hear that crap about the orange god, I know you are a troll. If the left had Jesus in their lives, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are right now. Lucky for you, there is a path to redemption.

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NWCitizen's avatar

Believe me, Right wingers called Biden far worse things than an orange God.

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AJoy's avatar

LMFAO No one worships him. Get a grip. He’s the right man for the job. That’s it.

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NWCitizen's avatar

He thinks he is god, his base worships him and he can do NO wrong.

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HL3's avatar

Just like GOP were miserable, unhappy, confused when they lost 2008, 2012 and 2020 each party goes in cycles unlike other countries we are not one ideological dominated society.

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26+6=One Ireland's avatar

Well then, I guess it's a good thing I've been a conservative registered independent since 1978. I do not hold either party in high esteem. Thanks for the critique and the lesson in the two-party system. Move along there's no more for you to see here.

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Tom Potts's avatar

Not really. Disappointed, yes. Confused? Absolutely not. Just more determined to take back our Constitutional Republic for freedom and liberty.

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HL3's avatar

Many say that and only mean when its them not everybody.

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Suzie's avatar

👏👏👏👏 Beautiful.

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