Let me put it this way...
I was turned on to politics by Reagan, read all the political journals and argued with lefties and paid attention to the lies of the media with disgust. When the Wall came down and Communism failed, I celebrated with everyone else.
In the years since, it's become obvious that the Golden Rule determines political races and the national and state level, and the leftists are entrenched here at our local level.
Now, I can pretend that I can make a difference and put a whole lot of energy into fighting this horrendously powerful current, or concentrate on my new teaching position, on my books I now have contracted to write, and on my martial arts (I'm still only approaching my black belt in isshinryu karate).
Let's see...fight a hopeless battle in a corrupted and deteriorating system, or enjoy my life.
The decision is easy. I quit.