different context, but still relevant

This is aimed at a very different situation from the one we have here, to be sure. But just about everything that is said about the Lib Dems in that post could very well be said about the Democrats in the US. And it needs to be said, especially now that we're in the midst of the "shut up and give us the votes" season in which the hapless Dems use the carrot and the stick to corral their "base".

The message is particularly important for those who still find themselves under the illusion that the Democrats are "progressive" in any meaningful sense. I think "the most craven power-licking integrity-less liars" in government, describes rather accurately what the Democrats are about.

When the Republicans slash and burn our public sector, we're supposed to get angry and send checks to Moveon.org. But when the Democrats do it, we're supposed to smile and..... send checks to Moveon.org?

Something is awry in this strange positive feedback loop. It needs to be broken. Because it's us or them: either the rich and powerful are going to balance the budget on our backs, or we're going to have to find a way to create the kind of pressure that wins the change the vast majority of us are looking for.