I've become numb to it all - not normalized...but numb. And sadly expectant.

[NRaleighLiberal]

I've not watched TV in 10 years - so when I read here about what's said on this or that show (such as morning joe), I just shake my head.

As the daily explosions and implosions occur - each and every day since election theft night - I expect the worst. When we have a borderline personality disorder narcissist as president, enabled and surrounded by bought and paid sycophants, whose only goal is power and money and greed, this is what we get.

It no longer shocks and surprises. I no longer go ballistic at every utter failure and shocking thing.

Because I've come to realize that it is all ass backwards. Those in power never pay. We saw it during the Bush years - the lying into war, the Plame mess, the financial collapses - the system is utterly rigged against the little people (us). I don't see the pathway of returning to what should be - we all pin our hopes on Mueller and I am sure he is doing a splendid job - but who will take his outcomes and make them stick?

If the powerful can continue to abuse that power with impunity - if there is never a cost - then there will never be a need for them to do things differently. We are viewing unabashed hubris - because they now know they can get away with anything.

Throughout human history our species hit low points. Then we recover and say "never again". Then the again happens...again. It is as if we are witnessing this trumpian disaster in slow motion - a toxic stew of horrendous dictators, fascists, and misleader throughout history - all being played out. A portion of our population doesn't care, because they've been brainwashed. We see the brainwash happening -we know where and how it is happening.

So...yes indeed, get out there and vote. The repairing has to start somewhere. Can we trust the outcome? We've done nothing to fix the issues with election hacking and unsecured methods (machines). I hope we can...but no longer have faith in our systems. It is an awful place to be....but here we are.

The fact that the daily news messes no longer bring shock - but a sad shaking of the head, and a thought of "of course...that was bound to happen" - we are all involved, and we are all victims, in a crisis, a tragedy, for our country.

[world wide wally]

1. Maybe America just isn't what we idealized it as

Is it just a racist and corrupt wasteland with uncaring people so eager to be lead off a cliff?
Somehow, I am missing the nobility and honor I always heard about as a child. I only see a nation lead by a pack of greedy cowards put there by the voters. I am ashamed of us.

[Claritie Pixie]

10. How do you choose to see America?

I always think of the words “a more perfect union”...America is an amazing social experiment unlike any in history. We are diverse country, our citizens come from all corners of the world, trying to live together with an amended old piece of parchment protecting our speech and religious beliefs.

I believe in what America can be, what we’ve been striving to be and yes, slowly progressing towards that more perfect union that has not come easy at all. So many struggles, so much hate and death at times in our history. Yet we continue, we progress.

There will always be a minority of us who don’t give a damn about any of that. They are selfish swindlers, they take what they can grab and do not care of the suffering they may create. They cheat and lie, they are an infestation of bad behavior. It is human behavior.

Always remember they are the minority. The vast majority of us want to live in peace, free to live as we choose without harming others. Many are easily manipulated by the selfish swindlers though. Truth be known - a majority of Americans do not vote, do not participate in trying to make America a more perfect union. How do we change that? It’s a question I’ve been pondering for a long time. No easy answer.

Nevertheless, I believe in America. I believe that more perfect union my ancestors gave their lives to defend is achievable, and I believe that if all adult Americans got a clue about the seriousness of this experiement and their duty to participate, we would move closer to that more perfect union and the selfish swindlers, still there, always there, trying to grab what they can get, will be forced into the shadows.

This is what I choose to believe. I choose to believe in this country and its people. It’s unacceptable to me to give up and let the selfish swindlers run the show.

Don’t be discouraged. Keep going. Talk to people. Keep doing your part to achieve a more perfect union. DO NOT ever give up.

[bigtree]

2. you have to realize apathy is their goal

...and refuse to surrender your commitment to them.

This is not an especially long time for a challenge to a presidency to develop into something concrete and productive. We are as deep into a challenge to a presidency as I've ever witnessed. This isn't anything near defeat.

Cynicism about government is good and healthy, but cynicism in the way we respond to these challenges is self-defeating, and ultimately plays into the hands people who's only hope is that we turn away and let them have the floor to themselves.

As my old friend, Guy Washington used to say, "Good always leaves, but bad comes to stay."

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

7. True

Never give up, but do what you need to for yourself to stay sane and healthy. I think tuning out a bit can be healthy. Take some breaks.

[handmade34]

3. when

I hear people comment that "this is not who we are" in reference to politics... I say, yes, this is absolutely what and who we are... collectively we have created this by inaction, by not voting, by not being civic minded, by not understanding that 'we are all in this together...

now, the reasons are varied and understandable in some cases... an accumulation of abuse of power, exploitation, dumbing down education (lack of interest and understanding of history), generational poverty, (brainwashing), etc...

right now, November 6, we have the ability to start to turn the tide... those of us that know can do extraordinary work to get out the vote, educate people, protest, provide support in any way we can; financial, emotional, physical to those that need it... we cannot afford not to...

I am beyond sad, beyond disgusted... to go from the hope of President Obama to what we have now is so very discouraging... it is a tragedy for our Country

time for a much bigger protest by "the people"

[kentuck]

4. Even his supporters are victims...

...but they don't know it yet.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. the whole world - both people and planet - are victims

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

6. Well said

I pretty much feel the same way, but I remain hopeful for the future always. I just try to focus on my own life and the people in my life. We can all have a positive impact, even if it is small.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. EXACTLY! Through my books, my garden talks, plants,

my daily excursions with my wife (walks, biking, kayaking) - it is so weird - our own little bubble is fine, but the bleeding heart in me hurts so for all of those getting damaged by current conditions. So - yes, we do what we can do. I am also an optimist, but for the first time in 62 years, that is getting truly tested!

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

9. I can totally relate

I feel too much for other people sometimes. I'm getting better handling that as I get older. There is only so much one person can do. It is good to know your own limitations. It is important to have empathy for others and be connected to other people, but just isn't good to let the negativity of everyone else affect you too much. I think just working on yourself, finding your own joy and fulfillment, contributes to the greater good. At least that's one less negative person. The more people that can do that, the better off we are as a society. I had some crazy stuff happen in my own life recently... a falling-out with an old friend. It was kind of a messed up, soap opera like situation. I was angry with her for a long time. Sometimes anger is productive, but I realized it just was serving no purpose and I was just unhappy. I decided I needed to change my perspective. I wrote up a list of all the positive things that resulted from that whole ordeal and that has helped me reframe my thoughts about the whole situation and this person. I go back to that list if I need reminders, lol. It has helped a lot. I realized I couldn't stop thinking about her. You can't tell yourself to not think about something. That never works. If anything you think about it more and it drives you mad. Instead I just remind myself of the good things about the person or situation instead when it comes up in my mind. It's a great little trick. I feel like I am more in control of myself because of it. I sort of went on a tangent there, but it was mostly related. LOL