Lyin' Steve leaving the forum

[Lyin' Steve]

After about 18 months, of which I've spent more than a month of time on Atlas, I've decided to leave.  There's nothing particularly wrong with Atlas, but I feel like politics is going to be really really frustrating for me over the next few years.  I'm a policy wonk who places a lot of value on integrity and practicality, and American politics in both parties seems to be sliding further and further into a mess of complete fantasy policies, self-delusion and totally fake news.  Over the last couple years I've become more and more separated from the part of my life where politics was actually important and something I needed to be on top of, and the level of involvement and strategic analysis I committed to in this election cycle was really just a hobby more than anything.  Maybe one day I'll follow my heart and become a campaign manager or chief strategist, although right now I'm very satisfied with my career.  But for now this is likely the end of my close involvement in politics.

Most of y'all are good people and I'll miss posting here, if anyone is ever in Seattle feel free to send me a message and I'll buy you a beer.  Here are some of what I think were my best posts or the ones I put the most effort into:


General election post-mortem
Democratic primary post-mortem
Debate 1 excuses
Debate 2 analysis
Debate 3 recap
American swing voters parody thread
4 AM drunk ramble about how much I love Hillary
Tales from the WA caucuses
In anticipation of a Trump presidency
The real Trump historical comparison

Analysis from 2010 on the dangers of anti-establishment, anti-elite fervor
Top ten biggest factors destroying American politics
How leaks are used to create scandals out of thin air
How self-delusion and bubbles are creating cyclical conflicts
How the forces on the right intersect to create our current political environment
Why Hillary didn't commit a crime in Emailgate (four months before Comey speech)
The sad saga of FiveThirtyEight
Worst area of the world thread

A reflection on John Kasich
Criticism of Trump's health care plan
Criticism of Trump's "take the oil" policy
Criticism of Hillary Clinton's character
Criticism of Hillary Clinton's candidacy
Criticism of Bernie Sanders
Criticism of Ted Cruz
Criticism of Marco Rubio's candidacy
Criticism of the campaigns of the other primary contenders
Criticism of university protests

Peace out Atlas

[Meclazine for Israel]

Have a good one Steve,

Thanks for the posts and the political education. Very insightful.

[‼realJohnEwards‼]

Aww I'm sad to see you go. You really were one of the most intelligent and well-versed posters on the forum, and your sense of humor is great as well. But I understand why you're leaving, after how the forum's looked since Tuesday night. Best wishes!

[Beet]

Aw Steve, you're one of the very best posters here. :-(

[LLR]

Goodbye Steve, I'll miss you. I'm happy your legacy didn't have to end with the bad posts board named after you.

[Cashew]

Aw Steve, you're one of the very best posters here. :-(

[Virginiá]

See ya steve! Will miss your analysis

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Stop with this "leaving" s**t, people.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Too bad you're going.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

We need a thoughtful poster like you more than ever!

[RINO Tom]

You went out with a bang, though: Bob Dole-style thread!

[President Johnson]

Sad; I always like your well-informed posts. Have a good time.