Every now and tne I have to pull a lever and vote for someone. Every now and then I express an opinion. I'd like to understand the positions of the people I vote for, and don't vote for. When I speak, I'd like not to be a dupe.

There is a state observed across the animal kingdom of learned helplessness. The individual creature is so accustomed to pain and disappointment, that all hope is lost. The individual becomes immobile and passive--devoid of resistance. I'm not there yet :))