i wasn't disillusioned with american politics because i never bought the illusion. i sensed it was a con game before i had critical thinking when it became clear to me that it was a game and a deadly one and that people were sold a powerful illusion of democracy. 
tonight i watched a podcast on tightrope with alexandria ocasio-cortez. she talked about how she had become cynical and didn't even like herself. and then she started to do the work she's doing for people that have been crushed by power politics and abandoned to a cruel capitalist fate. and it was so clear to me what a wonder it is that someone like her could be in the system and expose it for what it is. she will be sabotaged but she is ready and she will do something good no matter where she goes. i hope that the neoliberal con is going to wither in the light and a positive revolution that has begun will blossom and that aoc will be there smiling. she gives hope in this dark time.