I liken politics to a game of tug of war.

[Uncle Joe]

Each team trying to pull the other side over, with criticism of the opposing team and even constructive criticism of your own team being the energy of the pull, there are three ways to lose.

1. Your argument or team is weaker and in spite of all good faith effort is pulled over.

2. You abandon your team out of spite, disillusionment of progress and give up or let go, this can result in the opposing team; winning but falling down in the process, this can also be both funny and sadistically gratifying, yet ultimately tragic.

3. The third way to lose is not to pull or criticize hard, just pull moderately; trying to maintain a center position while the opposing team is pulling with all their might

[phantom power]

1. Yes, you have to be willing to upset the other team by opposing them.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I agree and if constructive criticism = energy, it may even be necessary to upset your own.