As a person, I'm not much for causes and institutions such as giving my loyalty to an Empire or a rebellion, but what you're doing is using the radical actions of a few individuals determine your attitude toward the whole. Yes, the Stormcloaks are racist pigs as a generalization, and the Imperials are the weak puppets of the Thalmor as a generalization, but that not only doesn't describe every individual, it only categorizes one aspect of the whole group.
If you're going to let the actions of, really, only two Imperials dictate your attitude toward all of them, why can you not also be influenced by Hadvar's kindness? From the moment he takes the prisoner's name to the moment he helps you in your escape (whether you ultimately choose to follow him out of Helgen or not, there's a moment in the middle when he helps you when he could have just as easily killed you himself) he exhibits kindness. He seems dissatisfied with the decision to kill a non-Stormcloak, but doesn't quite feel right challenging the order; he's put in a tough position, but he steps up when the world explodes into Alduin's chaos. Why don't you judge that for a second?
Both sides have their assholes and their upstanding members. Ultimately, I chose Imperial for my main after a LOT of deliberation and reading in and out of game. I even wrote a blog entry about the complexity of the politics as I understood them at the time, because the decision weighed on me. Bethesda put a lot into the design in this regard. I honestly thought it would be really dried and cut; of course I'd join Stormcloaks! Why would I join any group that practices religious oppression?! But it wasn't that simple. I don't feel Ulfric's true goals are in line with what he uses to whip the masses into a frenzy, and I don't feel the Empire is entirely to blame for the presence of the Thalmor now. I see a great war on the horizon where the Empire strikes back (AAAAAHHHHH I couldn't help it). The Thalmor obviously see themselves as not simply superior, but in complete control right now, but that doesn't mean the Empire has been idle under the Dominion's watch. The Empire never wanted to submit, they just didn't have much choice at the time. However, Ulfric and Skyrim seem never to have forgiven them for that.
I love these long lectures of yours. They actually make me think! Wish I was deep, but I just go around selfishly satisfying my own needs and doing quests if the end result is in my favor and I make a profit. I realize I generalize, but, as an Imperial by blood (particularly having been raised in a noble household), I have been taught that deep thinking is for the philosophers.
You are fabu! Thanks for making my brain hurt. That way I know I learned something. I may not pay any attention to it, but at least my eyes are a little more open.
What ultimately made my decision for me was overhearing Ulfric discuss sacking Whiterun and killing Balgruuf (the same conversation you hear every time you enter the palace at Windhelm). I like Balgruuf, and I didn't want him to die for little more than having his attempts at maintaining Whiterun as neutral territory perceived as opposition to Ulfric for no greater reason than it wasn't support, and that put him in the way of Ulfric's goals. I don't like that logic; it leads to oppression. From a behavioral standpoint, those who would employ that logic are more likely to become oppressive in their rule when given power to do so. Not a difficult leap from where he is, if you ask me.
I don't feel either side is right, or entirely justified, and while Ulfric's xenophobic "close the borders" ideals would help Skyrim in some ways, casting off the shackles of the Dominion and rebuilding itself into something ever more Nordic than before, I felt the Legion and the Empire were better for the future of Skyrim. My reasoning for this is that closed borders and xenophobic policies have far reaching consequences (see Edo era Japan, and modern North Korea and China). While continuing to stay attached to the Empire has its drawbacks, I think it makes for a stronger, more diverse Skyrim in the future. Nords don't give up easily, and if the Dominion really does obliterate the empire, you can bet Skyrim won't let themselves be taken quietly.
