And she's the liberal candidate. Not the same as American liberalism sure, but both this gay marriage nonsense (where she can't articulate a single reason not to change the policy; the fact that the policy has existed for a long time without being changed doesn't count) and her pretending that being decent and hardworking is antithetical to her own party is the worst form of pandering.

More likely it's just like the American system where all major parties represent the same oligarchical interests and differ only in which mobilizing social issues they strategically adopt to manipulate sufficient public support to get away with what they actually care about.

You pretty much nailed it, Irish. But heaven forfend you should mention this fact in public. Democrats eyes glaze over, and Republicans start frothing at the mouth. Like one big Skinner box.

Yes, exactly! I think I have a little tear in my eye; probably just the booze.