sense that I consider myself to be "liberal" to mean that I view government has having not only an active but an essential role in promoting an even playing field in the world of business; providing a social infrastructure that keeps people from falling into poverty or helps them when they do; regulates things that are dangerous or put us at risk; etc.

I would stress that I abhor social Darwinism and that is really what "Laissez Faire" capitalism as envisioned by the Chamber of Commerce types has become. I certainly don't believe in forced egalitarianism but we are an incredibly wealthy country and we owe it to one another to share both our prosperity and our burdens at least to a degree. I view that as providing the basics like healthcare, education, unemployment insurance (including for seniors), safe roads, streets, etc.; keeping toxic waste out of our drinking water and dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people, etc.

I've been disgusted for years at the right's rhetoric on economics and treating poor people like undeserving pieces of shit -- which they are NOT -- and now it's sad to see things like racism calling itself nationalism even more prominent, along with paranoid violent undertones about (my favorite subject which I won't get into here). We still have a lot of demons to work through as a nation but one thing I think we have lost and this board is one of millions of demonstrations of is complete and utter loss of collective mission and desire for shared prosperity as something we aren't forced to do but want to do. It's a shame, because I do believe we are better than this.

This election may serve as a breaking point but I hope not by virtue of electing a buffoonish charlatan like Donald Trump as our president.

We shall see.