What's the similarity between the "Good Cop" and the "Bad Cop"?

[Flying Squirrel]

A: Both cops are on the same side.

We've been getting a "Good Cop, Bad Cop" routine from Democrats and Republicans for years and years now. I wish I could still believe the Good Cops were really good, but once the scales finally fall from your eyes there's really no going back. With very few exceptions, the "Good Cops" are on the same side as the "Bad Cops" - they are mainly on the side of the rich, and on the side of themselves (their own self-interest and ultimately whatever they need to say or do to maintain their positions.)

What else is similar? Both cops are playing parts in a charade. Both cops want something out of you - the "Bad Cop" is absolutely necessary for the "Good Cop" to get what he's looking for -- in this case, votes.

We think Democrats are the "Good Cops" and congratulate ourselves for at least being aligned with the good guy. Right wingers think Republicans are the true "Good Cops" and similarly congratulate themselves. Neither side is all that happy with what their representatives in Congress are actually DOING - just what they are SAYING. But they vote for them anyway because they fear the alternative, and they fear that the "Bad Cops" may actually carry out what they are saying they'll do if they don't side with the "Good Cop."

There's no such thing as a perfect analogy, and so of course this one has flaws. One such flaw is that Republicans are much more successful in getting their agenda passed than Democrats are, when they're in power (and more successful in blocking the opposition agenda when not in power.) So the fears of Democrats are more likely to come true.

The ultimate question, of course, is: What can we, who are caught up in this routine, do about it?

We can back more progressive candidates in primaries, we can turn out to vote (and turn others out to vote) more ... er... religiously, for lack of a better word. We can write and call our congresspeople and write letters to the editor. Those of us brave enough and motivated enough can protest publicly against the corrupt system.

None of this is new to you, I'm sure. Is there anything else we can do? Anything at all? Please discuss... Thank you!

FS