Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I think that the mechanics of governing are probably mind-boggling, but parsing the "less-bad" from the "more-bad" is definitel

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I think that the mechanics of governing are probably mind-boggling, but parsing the "less-bad" from the "more-bad" is definitely the job of today's voter -- and those seemingly minor differences have real effects that will affect people's lives, both Americans and citizens of the world. Though I share your dissatisfaction with US foreign policy. It's probably one of those "no good answer" situations, though. Lots of people have died in Syria, for example, and I'm at a loss for what the 'best' policy response would have been, even with the benefit of hindsight. All I know is I'm glad I don't have to make those decisions. And I'm not so dissatisfied with the downvote mechanism, partly because I generally don't think these discussions belong on HN. Normally I show more restraint...!