Friends--I haven't been posting much lately, and here's why.

[Raenelle]

I am unutterably discouraged. It seems to me that the vast majority of the sentient adults in the US know in their guts the absolute truth of the following:

1. Bush misled the American public in order to have his war.
2. Bush's economic policies sacrifice the welfare of the poor and middle classes for the benefit of the very, very rich--and especially his cronies. And he is at best indifferent to taking measures to prevent future Enrons.
3. Bush has decreased our rights.
4. His environmental policies hurt the environment.
5. Abroad, he is the most ridiculed and hated US president in modern history--with both our enemies and our allies.

Yet, Bubble Boy is still above 50% approval. Knowing all the above, the American public will probably re-elect Bush.

I've put my anger at Chimpy on hold. When I believed it was just a matter of knowing, of seeing, when I could blame the whore press, my anger seemed to have a point. But, despite the whore press, I believe people DO know, they do see, and they don't give a fuck. So, my anger is simply self-destructive at this point.

I do love you all, but I can only dabble in politics for a bit. I am just unutterably discouraged.

[Skittles]

1. Hang in there, Raenelle

a lot of us are discouraged but we cannot give up; our very futures and the future of America is enough to make us stay. We CANNOT GIVE UP.

[Boom_cha]

2. Don't despair

The election could easily go either way. Granted, Bush has the upperhand as of right now, but the trend is not his friend.

[intheozone]

3. If you surrender, the Repugs win

turn your anger into action! There are far more of us than there are of them. If we are united against them, they don't stand a chance.

[chillwindblowing]

4. GOT THAT SICK FEELING IN MY GUT TOO....

I know the feeling that you have expressed and thank you for expressing, what I have been unwilling to admit.. even to myself:scared:

[Kanary]

9. Welcome to D.U., chillwindblowing!

I also appreciate the expression of being so down about it all. It's necessary to be honest with ourselves!

Kanary

[ramapo]

5. It's very difficult

Some days I just want to stop the pain and cut myself off from what goes on. After all that's how many live their lives. Ignorance is bliss.

Can't do it though. Been reading the paper since I was about six so 42 years of being informed is a tough habit to break.

But it's hard to keep the anger and frustration in check. You simply can't let it get the best of you because it surely isn't worth it.

All we can do is the best we can.

I'm reading a book, The End of Politics. The author traces the depoliticalization of our society over the past 30 years. If you grew up, or were already grown up, during the '60s, then this answers a lot of questions as to just what the f*** happened to the promise of that decade.

Hang in there...

[FullerMacBride]

6. It's all so discouraging,

I feel the same way you do, but we can't give up. I don't think that's an option. Sometimes I think this generation will be known as the generation that let go of the democratic system. We didn't fight hard enough to keep it.

This is one of those times when we're reduced to blind faith and the hope that something in the spirit of Americans will rise up and take hold of those things we can change.

I tend to agree with Michael Moore that the right wins because the right is organized -- they have specific goals when they wake up every morning.

(By the way, I just started posting, so I can't claim to be your friend, but I have felt the way you do many times in the last two years, so I had to share:))

[Kanary]

8. Welcome to D.U., FullerMacBride!

I haven't mastered all those emoticon thingies, so I'll have to let someone else send you the waving hand.

Here's my virtual ~~friendly wave~~

Kanary

[moosedog]

14. This is not my view...

I don't think that the people let anything happen. It is the polititions ,that scratch each other's backs ,that let it happen. The people did vote, if they were not stopped, and according to the voting....even though it was invaded....still won the election for Gore, and they found another way to finish it off with the supremes. I don't like hearing people blame the people that do all they can and also go out and vote. My belief is that they are using us by fixing it so we think that we are taking part in decisions, but have no say about anything at all. They try to get us fighting among ourselves over things like statues or other things like that, and watching and listening to propaganda and gossip on the media, while they do dirty. I wish everyone would see this and stop going along with their scheme. It will never happen, though, because most people are looking for an institution to take care of them. They will do that....

[newyawker99]

20. Hi FullerMacBride!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mike_c]

7. I agree with you, Raenelle-- welcome to the land...

...of permanent cynicism. How is it possible to reconcile your list of truths with Bush's continuing public support? Why haven't the public called resoundingly for the boy king's deposition-- followed by his trial? Why does the press-- the PRESS for god's sake-- lick his administration's boots? It's very discouraging.

Frankly, I think we're on the verge of serious civil unrest, or if not on the verge of it, then we need to be. I suspect that only when American citizens are forced to seriously examine where their best interests lie, both in a local and in a global context, will they wake up and begin to act responsibly. They have not had to make those choices yet, so there remains an unexplicable disjunct between their values and their actions. Or, even more cynically, American values no longer really embrace respect for truth, liberty, and justice. In that case we're screwed. All we can really do is support one another and wait for the late-night knock at the door.

[liberalhistorian]

10. I know exactly what you mean!

I've been fighting since Raygun was elected, when I was fifteen, and I simply don't know how much more I can take. I don't know which is worse, the leaders we have or the fact that the stupid sheeple still approve of them after all that they've done and are likely to keep them in office. Either way, I just can't take much more. We talk and educate and try to talk and educate some more, and I just don't see the difference and I'm getting tired.

[RainDog]

11. The basic issue

for me, is not whether or not the American people realize or not, or care or not, although this will determine the fate of our country in ways I think most do not yet understand or imagine (and that's with an unhealthy dose of denial powering this blindness).

But the basic issue for me is that my anger is not because of what other Americans do or don't do, beyond the ones who are sitting in DC in the halls of power who are supposedly put there for two reasons:

to represent the people of this nation via the enactment of laws. then there are those who sit to evaluate the just or not application of these laws, and those who are supposedly elected to enact legislation.

ALL are charged to defend the Constitution of the United States from foes, both domestic and foreign.

My anger stems from the fact that NONE OF THE THREE branches of the federal govt is working to defend the Constitution of the U.S. because SOME of them are those very enemies.

Whether or not my fellow citizens give a shit is beyond the point, because that charge exists once a person takes office.

However, I'm also not defeated by all this because I've already decided that if my fellow citizens either choose or by apathy allow a fatal erosion of democracy in this nation, I will vote with my feet to find a place with a better educated, more enlightened population and govt. and say to hell with this nation.

In order for this to be MY nation, it has to represent me, and the vast majority in this country which is in fact opposed to what Bush and his repuke Congress is doing.




.

[moosedog]

12. You are right on...but...

they are dumb. Evil ways stifle real intelligence. I doubt that I live long enough to see them get what they deserve, but they will at some point. Of course we have to make sure that we take advantage of every opportunity to help them out, getting it. Money does not buy everything, ya know.

[Kanary]

13. I appreciate your honesty!

All of what you listed has been going through my mind for the last few months, and it doesn't lead one to a sense of peace, to say the least. It's a real belly-drop to thoroughly realize just what state your country is in. It reminds me of how I felt as a young, naive thing to actually learn what the Vietnam war was all about, and our country's part in it.

So, I well know the emotional struggle you are experiencing. I will go one further, and say that I've become really depressed seeing how our own party is betraying us! What really hurts the most, though, is seeing the attacks going on right here. I got attacked last night, and just wanted to say, "Hey, I'm *NOT* your enemy! We're in this together, or there is no hope." But, I know the attacks will continue, and if I am the target again, I will, indeed, give up. Being told to "buck up" does nothing to ease that sinking feeling of hopelessness.

I learned years ago that I had to stand back from the "news", because it was just too depressing, and it didn't help to have my mood affected by it. We all have different levels of what we can handle at various times, so I hope you are taking good care of yourself, and doing what you need to do to keep your own strength up. It's highly unfortunate that we, as a "movement", don't have a real mechanism for supporting each other when we wear out. That's to our detriment. So, in the meantime, we have to individually back out until/unless we start feeling stronger.

Thanks again for your honesty, and I wish you well!

Kanary

[moosedog]

15. I'm not depressed by the news....

I feel insulted. Yes, depressed that our kids and other people are being maimed and killed for a bunch of thieves, but mostly angry that they think that we swallow all the stuff that they put on the news. They are manipulating the average citizen, big time. We are seniors and I think our kids think we are dumb, but we tell them that we read a lot on the net. The response is....how is that any different from the other media. I say it gives you more options to sift through. They are all for the war because the ten commandments are being taken off and prayer isn't in the schools and you know the rest of the bullcrap that is fed to people in the organized religious places. I will stop now before I lose my temper

[Kanary]

16. if you're not depressed, that's OK for you

What I'm saying is that we all have different responses, and it's OK to have whatever feelings we are having, and to take care of our own feelings. We aren't all in lockstep, here, afterall.

What *I* learned for myself is that if there is something that I can do something about, then that's fine, I could listen to it or read about it, and then take action, and it would be OK. But all the things that I can't do anything about only ground me down.

As they say, YMMV. And, that's OK. But it's also OK for those of us who feel differently about it, also.

*Our* mileage may be different, also.

Which is why I brought up being attacked here, where I *should* be able to feel comfortable, and yes, safe. It's time to allow each other that room to think what we think and feel what we feel without being corrected. That attack affected me, also.

I appreciate the original poster's sentiments, and I appreciate mine, also.

Kanary

[moosedog]

17. Kanary...you are sweet

I am an old woman and not the smartest, but I have learned to not be depressed because that would hurt those around me. I get angry though and that might hurt them more....never thought of that. We are all different like you said. I admire you for speaking your thoughts and just know that I think you are a big help to us all and I hope to read your posts a lot here. Mrs. Moose

[Kanary]

21. Thanks for the kind words, Mrs Moose!

Took me by surprise, and much appreciated.

If something makes you angry, I will be there to offer support, whatever form that takes. Anger scares me not, unless it's unfairly directed at me in the form of a personal attack.

But, I don't take kindly to having someone tell me what *I* should feel. My motto is "Don't *should* on me". I keep saying I'm gonna embroider that on a pillow. ^_^

Yes, unless one is a sociopath, we are all affected by those around us. However, I would suggest that gauging one's allowable emotions strictly by what we think we should feel around others can get us into trouble. There's nothing wrong with emotions... no right or wrong, they just are. Honesty is always the best policy. Especially honesty with ourselves. ^_^

It's nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Moose! Hope to have more exchanges with you!

Kanary

[moosedog]

22. I feel the same, Kanary

People that have emotions ..and are deep thinkers ,as you seem to have...always get attacked. Just let it roll off you. I know it is hard, but if you come on here, where you are among free thinkers, and just let us talk....we will make it somehow. I'm always here at some point during the day. Thanks for coming back to me. I'm so boring that I don't get responses often. LOL Mrs. Moose

[Kanary]

23. sorry, Mrs. Moose... no can do...

I'm incapable of "letting it roll off me". That is one of the stock phrases (actually, a lot kinder than what is commonly used today, which makes me gag).

You see, I'm a sensitive person. Yeah, I know.... that's supposed to be A Bad Thing. Balderdash! I've become quite comfortable with my sensitivity, and see it as a positive, and certainly not something that I'm willing to kill. I *VALUE* my sensitivity. I don't know whether you've ever heard of it, but there is actually a well-known book called "The Highly Sensitive Person", and it explains that sensitivity is not a choice.. you dont' just "get over it" and "let it roll off your back". It's how we are. Personally, as I said, I value sensitivity, both in myself, and in the few others that I meet. My sensitivity is why I was able to see what the original poster was saying (this is frustrating that while I'm writing I have no access to the posts so that I can even look up her name!!!)

I'm glad that you can see that those of us who are sensitive get attacked. It's an ugly part of life in these United States. There are other cultures who value their sensitives! Maybe, if enough of us refuse to be shamed for it, it will eventually happen here, too. At any rate, I believe we need *more*, not fewer, sensitives.

And, no, I don't think you're boring! You've at least been willing to listen to me.

Kanary

[moosedog]

25. Of course, I like hearing your insights.

My dad always scolded me and my mom and was constantly tellin us that we are too sensitive. I used to tell him that just because he isn't sensitive at all doesn't mean that I'm over sensitive. Yes that is how he worded it...."you are oversensitive". If I got beat up by my mom and cried, she would say," Look at her...feeling sorry for herself". Isn't it funny. Well, I guess that is why I don't cry anymore and get mad instead. LOL I look up to the sensitive people, but some consider that to be less intelligent. They couldn't be more wrong. Now that I'm seventy, I don't let things bother me as much because it makes me physically sick. I stay clear of upsets, but never shirk from standing up for what is right. I can't get too upset, though, or I have heart and weakness for weeks after. I do respect your way of thinking Kanary. You are a super person and I'm so glad to have your acquaintance. Mrs. Moose

[RainDog]

18. I'm sorry someone was rude to you

...and a belated welcome, btw.

the internet is a difficult space for that very reason...too many people use it as a way to vent the worst parts of their personalities.

and yes, the most depressing part is to feel that your elected representatives don't seem to "get" that these repukes are not playing by roberts rules of order.

...anyone who could use homeland security on his states' dem legislature (Tom DeLay) has serious problems with democracy.

Sometimes I wonder what could make those people inconsequential, and I'm sometimes afraid it's going to be the horrible way they govern, their excesses, which we all have to suffer, which will finally make enough people say enough to get them out of politics in any meaningful way.

[Kanary]

24. Thanks, Raindog!

I appreciate the kind words, and the welcome.

:hi:

Glad to make your "acquaintance", and hope to talk with you more!

Kanary

[VOX]

19. Raenelle, bear in mind that the 2000 electoral map remains unchanged...

for the most part. There are enough progressive-minded people on both coasts, in big cities and in the industrial states to tip things in our favor.

It will be close -- you will be needed!

Hang in there -- :toast: