"But for as long as my interests are aligned with someone elses,"
yes...i know that...your interests are definitely aligned with "someone else's"...
"which has been for years now, I am on the same team as those along for the same ride."
oh some are definitely being taken for a ride all right...
i love the indirect method of writing...the misdirection...the manner in which one includes himself in a group of individuals without ever actually mentioning them or identifying them...