Hello DU Hoosiers, I have a serious question

[Voltaire]

Like all of you, I have been watching the horrifying events of the last several years unfold, so much so that I am suffering from information and depression overload. Like all of you I have marched, met, written letters, knocked on doors, done all of the due dilligence kinds of things that a concerned and active citizen should do and continue to do.

Only I don't believe anymore.

I don't believe that there is a political fix to the mess we are in. I don't think we will be saved by working for Democratic candidates, I don't think that media reform will ever come, I don't believe that the persons who have visited this calamity upon this nation and the world will ever be brought to a justice that will ensure that it will never happen again.

I do not believe that electing Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat will do any more than stop the bleeding a little.

I live in a dishonorable land. I live under the rule of dishonorable people. And not enough people give a damn, in spite of all of our efforts, enough to keep everything from sliding into the abyss. I have the utmost contempt for America, and I am frightened at what America has become. We aren't finished this venture into gutter depravity yet folks.

I fear for my life going forward, because I cannot remain silent even in a dictatorship. And so the dictatorship that not merely coming but is already here must one day silence me and all who believe as I do.

I weep for my wife who despite all still believes that things will change. She is shackled to a husband who sees only chaos, destruction and jackboots in our future. Living with me must be hell.

There is no one to talk to anymore. . .I wonder, though, is anyone even close to where I am and what I am feeling? If anyone is, I would sure like to start a support group and try to get through this somehow.

[plantwomyn]

1. Just give yourself room to hope.

Try to look for the good. If your wife is a touchstone reach ou to her. Try not to voice the VERY WORST when you do.
I understand how you feel. As a lesbian in this country I have lived through over 50 years of second class citizenship. The injustice and inequality of my day to day life can get me down. The addition of all your post expresses has just about gotten me to the point of rebellion! I've written to both Lugar and Bayh. I received the same old form letter from both. It's hard to see a difference. It's even harder sometimes to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I've watched most of the debates and am a c-span junkie. I am at the point where I will probably vote for the lesser of many evils. I may go for Biden in the primary just because he's the only on who has done anything in Congress in the last year to "stop the bleeding"
The only other suggestion I've got for you is to get away from your TV and computer and take a walk with your wife and check out the fall color. Can't hurt.

[Jack Bone]

2. I see a bad moon risin'

I, like you, have noticed those things and have felt those feelings. I've found solace in enjoying the time that I have now w/ my family & friends. there's no substitute for today, as funked-up as it may be, there will never be another one. so, enjoy it!! revel in the times you have now. Here's lyrics to a great Ziggy Marley song from a few years back ...ENJOY :hippie:

GOOD OLD DAYS, by David Marley

irie days come on play
let the angels fly let the devils die
got to do what you can with the time at hand
Ali boom mah yeah Ali boom mah yeah
don't worry your mind its just the test of time
in five years these be the good old days

no one knows what the future holds for everything has a season
its not a time for war its a time for peace
tomorrow knows tomorrow woes
I remember when grandpa use to say grandson these be the good old days

these be the good old days

now comes the moon with its starry lights
and so begins the night life
the tribal dance puts me in a trance
as she pulls me in with her magic swing
I asked of her what do we celebrate
she said to me these be the good old days

these be the good old days

leh leh leh leh leh leh leh leh

there is no future there is only now
let's cherish these moments that we now know

these be the good old days

[Voltaire]

3. Thanks for those responses

And I will try to internalize your ideas.

[LiberalFighter]

4. You have to take a break sometimes.

Change does not happen overnite.

Stopping the bleeding even a little is better than not stopping it.

Here in Ft Wayne we have a nut case running for mayor on the Republican ticket. If we allow him to get elected then we make our situation worse.

We have to stop the little nuts so they don't become bigger nuts.

National is important but so is the local politics and that can sometimes hit closer to home than national.

[Voltaire]

5. I understand working on the local stuff, I do

but I don't see where that changes much at this point. I think our mayor is a tool of local business and more interested in photo ops and the like. I've already worked that street too. As soon as my term as precinct committeeperson is done I am done with the party. It represents me or defends me no longer, not at the local level and not at the national level. I thank you for your comments though, I truly do.

[IndianaGreen]

6. Sounds like it is time for another DU get together after the elections

My mailbox is filled every day with glossy ads from candidates, none of which bothered to identify their party affiliation, but they are all running against the Democratic incumbent.

I am frightened at what America has become. We aren't finished this venture into gutter depravity yet folks.

Incrementally, far too many Americans have come to accept secret courts, secret trials, secret prisons, and an all-powerful federal government. Many of us on the Left warned about our republic slipping into totalitarianism. Well, here it is, and there are bipartisan fingerprints all over the place.

I watched the 2006 election returns at Spencer's with our mutual friend Keith, and another comrade that has since relocated to Chicago. As it became obvious that the Democrats were about to take the House and the Senate, Keith said that people will soon find out how little things would change. I took issue with Keith. Well, after seeing Pelosi and Reid run interference for Bush, I feel I owe Keith an apology.

[Voltaire]

7. It was natural for us all to believe that the Dems would change things

I think that is what makes things so painful for me. I EXPECT the GOP to screw me, I don't expect it, at least not openly, from the Dems. They were elected for a purpose and they know what the purpose is. But they are masters at finding 500 different ways of telling their base that they WOULD stop Bush if they only had the VOTES!

I will maintain until I die that the Constitution makes no provision for Congress to wait for enough votes to take action against the Executive. Unitary Executive, Urinary Executive, I don't care which. The man has taken dictatorial power with the advise and consent of both branches of the legislature and both parties that make up the majority of those branches.

We are on our own and remain inert. I wonder what the future holds.