[gatorbait]

In my mind, those closest to us in philosophy are our natural political allies... instead they are treated as enemies

Well, you'd think that.Unfortunately, the true believers tend to hold their own to an impossibly high standard that they can never themselves match, but they feel good procliming that philosophy.

Think back to 1992, when the Principled went with Ross Perot.It mattered not to them that Perot had Clinton's hand up his posterior , orchastrating his campaign of spoilage. No, by GAWD! Bush41 lied to them! Bush41 was not pro life,pro gun, pro tin foil hat enough for them. We got the panderbear and her Heinous .No matter, the Principled felt like the pain would be good for us to have rejected their obvious righteousness. In a perverse way, they were right, though they helped re elect Clinton in 96 , by, of course, standing on principle, or was it on their heads? Not to worry, they felt bloody fabulous about their own wonderfulness.

Ah yes,Principle oneself right into the abyss.

[FairOpinion]

"Ah yes,Principle oneself right into the abyss."

===

Hey, you sound almost as frustrated with them, as I am. ;)

[Tamzee]

Think back to 1992

I do so, constantly. I was in my mid-20's in 1992, had strong conservative (yep) principles but little actual knowledge of politics. Close friends who were more experienced bashed Bush Sr. endlessly, almost word for word what we are seeing today aimed at Bush, Jr. And we had to "vote for Perot because the GOP abandoned its base".

I did so and regretted it sorely the next day... and for eight long years... regretted it bitterly on 9/11...and still do.

That's why I so vehemently support and vote for the candidate "furthest to the right who can win"... it was a hard lesson.