I don't.
Now you probably don't know me and you probably don't care. I've been around a little while, written some diaries (mostly poor ones) and have made my share of comments (mostly relevant ones I like to believe).
But, not so much anymore...
Why? Seems the place has gone crazy, well likely its always been crazy but just more obvious now. People are getting so caught up in their point of view they are unwilling to allow others a difference of opinion.
I admit that in some ways I can understand, if one thinks XXXX will allow the Republicans to win and take over the world, and someone else is XXXXing then there is a rational (be it real or imagined). There may even be some truth to it. Even so we still need to be allowed to express our opinions, even if it makes President Obama lose in 2012.
And on the other side you have people who go bonkers because someone else really likes the President. I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to start a fight in a post that says nice things about the President. I mean hes not the devil incarnate and you must be able to see why others may think more highly of him than you do.
Free speech and the free trade of ideas is what makes a Democracy tick. As soon as both sides are just repeating the party line its over.
I mean the American experiment is over!
As soon as we just have to go along with our Elected officials with out being able to publicly disagree we are no longer even pretending to be represented.
Now part of the problem is the place has become almost too big. Its attracted the attention of those who like to play 'agent saboteur' (be it for fun or for profit matters not) and people are so up tight they are getting caught up in it. The pick wounds, poke tender spots looking for a reaction. This only works if you lower yourself to their level.
There is only one solution to this...
Tolerance.
Just because you disagree with a diary doesn't mean you need to turn it into a pie fight. If you must say something make your point and go, but better to just leave altogether. If someone is arguing with you don't respond, just let them say their peace. Everyone has the right to express their opinion regardless of how misdirected you perceive it to be. We don't need to state how much we love/hate the President in every diary. Let everyone say their peace and if its unpopular then the diary will sink and die. And if a lot of people agree and rec it up, then maybe it needed to be said.
Tolerance is supposed to be one of the pillars of being a Democrat, be it race religion, color, or opinion. I mean your okay with Gay marriage and African Americans but you can;t handle difference of opinion? (insert tongue in cheek).
This is a very important place and a lot of good has been done thru these pixels. But, if we implode or isolate into little pockets of different beliefs then we have lost all power. Democrats have always been crazy cats with all different reason why they are democrats, but coming together none the less to try and make the world a better place.
Being far right is easy, all you need to do is digest what the latest paid personality tells you to think, but being far left is hard. The left usually have some passion the pushes them to the point where they are willing to sacrifice self in some way for the greater good of others. As such we are probably more sensitive than the reptiles on the other side of the isle.
We need to learn to cut each other more slack. Police ourselves to not feed the fire, say are peace and walk away from arguments.If someone want to post a diary of glossy pictures of the president and then tell you how great he is, then let them. And if someone want to criticize something they feel he could of done better, then let them.
(and for the record if you look at the total number of registered voters and the total number of registered users here you will see what happens here has little effect on the general electorate).
Where we have an impact is when we leave the site and do something in the real world that makes a difference. When we take what we learn here and use/share with our neighbors, coworkers and friends. This is just a place to exchange ideas, be them good or bad. No need to stifle that
I would like to be able to spend more time around here again...