Do you think both parties in the US....

[DanielX]

... consist largely of members who are stupid, corrupt, incompetent, and/or are actively working to harm the country?

This is regardless if you think one party or the other is the lesser of two evils.

I vote Yes.

I've noticed of late I've become really bitter about the whole political process. Angry, even. I used to be a partisan Republican, but I've determined that in most things (outside of some policy decisions) they're little better than the Democrats (of whom my opinion has gotten, if anything, even worse over the years). Perhaps I'm just a cynic, perhaps my eyes have been opened to the fact that they're both full of bastards.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

Without a shadow of a doubt.

Hell, I'm looking forward to an arguement for something different in order so that I can rebuke it. (Anyone willing to play Devils advocate?)

[Keystone Phil]

Working to harm the country? Isn't that going a bit far?

[Alcon]

No, actually, I do not.  Although everyone is stupid, corrupt and incompetent to some extent.  Largely, though, I don't.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Option 4.

[DanielX]

Working to harm the country? Isn't that going a bit far?

Unfortunately not. Look at the actions of many members of Congress, and some executive officials, and tell me they aren't working to undermine the country...

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Depends on whether "primarily interested in holding on to power and office" falls within your definition of "corrupt".  I don't think most politicians in either major party are stupid, incompetent, or actively working to harm the country.

[bergie72]

... consist largely of members who are stupid, corrupt, incompetent, and/or are actively working to harm the country?

This is regardless if you think one party or the other is the lesser of two evils.

I vote Yes.

I've noticed of late I've become really bitter about the whole political process. Angry, even. I used to be a partisan Republican, but I've determined that in most things (outside of some policy decisions) they're little better than the Democrats (of whom my opinion has gotten, if anything, even worse over the years). Perhaps I'm just a cynic, perhaps my eyes have been opened to the fact that they're both full of bastards.

I'm with ya Daniel!   They may not be doing things to intentionally harm the country, but there actions do end up causing more harm than good.

[Colin]

I don't know if they are actively trying to harm the country I just believe that in order to keep themselves in power and to acquire more power for themselves people in government usually endorse policies that harm the national good at the expense of short-term gain, special interests, and acquiring and/or retaining power.

[Sensei]

The GOP more so, but yes.

[7,052,770]

I like to believe Option 4, but some Democrats really need to grow a pair.

[Verily]

The average members, no. The politicians, yes, mostly.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The more Feingold talks about censure, the more I think option 1.  I'm sure Bush is shaking in his boots at the prospect of Feingold voting to censure him.

[DanielX]

I like to believe Option 4, but some Democrats really need to grow a pair.

Partisan hack .

BTW, yes I mean the senior party leadership: the elected officials, appointed officials, and party leadership.

[Ban my account ffs!]

My party is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, which is affiliated with the Democrats, but is its own entity.  And for the most part, I like the DFL, its supporters, and hell, even some of its elected office holders.

[Boris]

Option 1, without a doubt.

[Speed of Sound]

Ah, but what would America be without it? (Other than the obvious answer of "better")

[Gabu]

stupid

No.

corrupt

To varying degrees, yes.  You have to be at least a little corrupt to advance in the political world.  It's an inevitability.  You need friends in high places to get a leg up, and having friends in high places basically guarantees corruption on your part.

incompetent

Not in any widespread fashion.

are actively working to harm the country?

No.  They're actively working to improve their own standing and position.  That may involve harming the country, or it may not.  They are certainly not evil people hell-bent on subjugating the masses, though.  They're simply egomaniacs - as any person must be in order to think himself or herself capable of being a political leader.

I'm not sure how to answer the poll.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I'm not sure how to answer the poll.

How about option 3: "Not Sure", or are you not sure about being not sure?

[DWPerry]

Most of the "followers" of either party do so because they buy into the lies of that party; that the other party (insert propaganda phrase here) and they buy into the "two-party system".

Propaganda phrases may include, but not limited to:
Wants you grandmother to die
Will "steal" your Social Security
Hates you because of your skin color
Wants to take your guns


PS
IMHO - most intelligent people are either Independents, affiliated with a "minor party" or inactive in politics because they see the corruption at EVERY LEVEL!

[Rob]

Yes

[AkSaber]

I think that most in Congress are out to further the interests of those who've paid them off. Yes, it's my cynicism that's talking.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Yes. The libertarians however are worse than the dems but less bad than the GOP(cannot take oscial conservatism)

[jokerman]

No, for the vast majority of our elected officials.  However, very many are misguided or incompetent to varying degrees.

[frihetsivrare]

For the most part, yes.  The ones who actively try to undermine the country or advance their career are not stupid, which is a vast majority of them.  The rest of them are just dumb.