As the little graphic near the bottom of my sidebar reminds me, today marks three years since I started this blog. During that time, I have written almost 3,000 posts, you have provided nearly 19,000 comments and more than 661,000 views.
While I remain committed to the ideas of Thomas Jefferson as quoted in my sidebar, I am much less hopeful today for our democracy that I was when I started. Some might find that strange – after all, Democrats have made significant gains in this period, from the stunning Webb victory in 2006, to the General Assembly gains in 2007, to the turning of Virginia blue in 2008. Some of lessons I’ve learned over the last three years, though, blunt any joy that I might have taken in those victories, lessons that I often wish I had not learned.
Someone said to me that I’m a glass half-empty kind of person. Perhaps that is true – or maybe it is that I see so much more that could be done, so much more that could be different that I cannot be satisfied with superficial change. The new boss is the same as the old boss, because they are the products of a political system that I believe is horribly broken.
How long I continue at this is anyone’s guess. I don’t know that I expected to be at it this long.
Three years is a long time of watching something worse than sausage being made.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Are you disappointed about the partisanship mainly?
Are you disappointed that most commenters are no better than the talking heads on cable news?
Those are my two biggest gripes.
We’ve had some conversations about this through email in the past, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to say publicly that I have really enjoyed your analysis over the years. That you see all those positive changes that could be made is what I think adds a unique aspect to your commentary.
Congratulations, Vivian, for lasting three years. I have wondered the same thing you are many times: Do I make a difference?
I agree that not all that glitters is Democratic, or gold for that matter.
I wish for you the best, and if that means changing gears and doing something different, then that is okay too. I would miss the insight and intellect you bring to these pages.
I hope you find peace in any decisions you make.
For me, I get more stubborn the worse things get. I have mostly met my goal of writing more in 2009, and I want to continue. There are too many local problems and state elections to get through without saying something about the stupidity.
Best to you.
A luta continua!
And a Who fan, too?!
BTW, that song also says, “A parting on the left is now a parting on the right.”
Ain’t it the truth. Even the allegedly conservative “W” pushed “Socialized Medicine Part D” and “No Child Gets Ahead.”
Let us hope indeed that we Won’t Get Fooled Again.
Happy blogoversary!
Vivian,
First, congratulations on three years! I was first looking into blogs back then, but never did anything until over a year ago. I know how hard it is to write on a regular basis so as not to disappoint your readership. Keep up the good work.
Second, on the political climate, I know how discouraging it is. Over the decades, we have allowed our legislators to overpay themselves and underservice their country as a whole in an effort to make sure they got re-elected. More of us need to stand up and write (e-mail these days) our assorted leaders to let them know when things are right and when things are wrong.
As with the case of Virginia, North Carolina went blue this past election, something of which I am both surprised and proud. I have great hopes for the new national administration (my elder daughter was asked to apply for one of the positions), but as President Obama has been saying all along in addition to “Yes we can,” that it will take all of us to make it happen. The gravy train is over, and we need to hunker down.
I am hoping that he will usher in a new era of more ethical politics. His first directive to his executive staff was an excellent start in that direction. Yes, he will make mistakes, but then, what president has not. That said, I think he is on a better path than we have seen in some years. He cannot solve all our ills, but I fervently hope that he will set an example that our other leaders will be forced to follow.
Congrats, Vivian- and agreed, it can be rough going, but I think you of all people should continue.
I also think that I still owe you lunch or coffee or something. Jeebus. 🙂
PS: My human rights prof told me yesterday afternoon that the hardest work, the kind that isn’t satisfied with simple, superficial type solutions, is often the most courageous work and almost always the most valuable. He was speaking to a slightly different context, but it’s applicable, non?
Congrats, Vivian. I’ve enjoyed your blog quite a bit the last 3 years. I also plan on reading you for many more years, or until you burn out on politics and turn vivianpaige.com into a needlepoint blog. 😉
I hope you are not discouraged after 3-years. Remember that there are far more people that read the blog, than post. Typically, the people who post the most, have the least to say! Just like politics! I read this blog daily, but rarely post. The information I get from this blog is invaluable and vital to the discussion of policy issues. Your insight and views treasures. Thank you for providing this forum, even though I seldom post, for the past 3-years.
I too, read daily, but this is my first time posting. I enjoy your insight and commentary. But mostly I read this blog to see the tone the republicans have adopted as they fade into the past. It gets nastier with each week. Right now the “talkpoints” are that Democrats are “socialists” and they have been hammering on that idiotic point ad nauseum. Ignoring,of course that it was a republican President and Treasury Secty (Paulson) who started this bailout nonsense! When they realize that talkpoint doesn’t work, they will hammer on some other talkpoint that Rush tells them to post on blogs. Its really very amusing! They haven’t figured out that the voters don’t like nasty! I mean, honestly, how can you watch state senators Wagner and Stolle and not think “Nasty”?????
3-years? Don’t be discourged. You’ve done a superb job and even got me to finally post here. Thank you Vivian!
Sorry for the delay in responding here. It’s been a busy week.
novamiddleman – all of that and more.
Bryan – thanks.
Mark – thanks. And glad that you are writing more.
4th Dist Dem & AEM – huh?
Teena & Margo – thanks.
Genevieve – you’ve got a smart professor 😉
JeffCon – no needlepoint here – ever 😉
Pat & Jim – thanks.