Folks. I've voted in exactly 3 elections

[PretzelWarrior]

Started voting in my 30's for the first time in my life starting with 2000 primary and then that wonderful memory in November of 2000. BUt I did get to see Al Gore in Eugene, OR.

Anyway, I've been bloodied and bowed since then with excruciating propaganda and fear and abuse and mismanagement casting votes each time and watching "the other guys" get the victory no matter how close...no matter how much they cheated to do so in particular instances.

Here I am after 2002 got the GOP their majority firmed up.

Here I am after Bush and Congress once again held onto their ill-gotten gains.

My feeling down to my very core is that with all we've seen taking place ever since Katrina, war dead, and corruption/sex scandals involving almost completely JUST the Republicans.....if Dems don't retake even one of the houses, it is clear the game is completely rigged and we are done.

The way the GOP is shutting down dissent and lining up for absolute and total control over the human cattle we call fellow Americans, it is clear they are in this for a thinly veiled dictatorship. Then, after enough passes and people have been desensitized....they will roll to a full scale dictatorship and repressive autocracy in the name of freedom and the security of our homeland.

Thoughts? If Dems lose....how can it be a fair match?

[pinto]

1. imho, It's not all rigged. Your vote counts. I've voted for 30 years.

One election doesn't mean the end of the world. And one election won't change everything we want to see changed overnight. Speak up, make your voice heard, and please bring a friend to the polls when you vote.

(aside) We thought Nixon was the end of "democracy as we knew it". Changed a lot of shit, but we didn't lose our democracy. These are bad times for the country; there are enough of us to move it back on track. Hang in there.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

2. The painful realization you've come to is simply too...

...painful for most. Deep down people know the electoral process is now no more than an illusion, but it's much more comfortable than reality for the time being. We should, of course, turn out to vote and participate anyway. If they're going to hang onto the House and Senate by fraud, we should force their hand and not concede out of hopelessness.

But the fact remains, we are headed toward becoming a totalitarian state.

[Sherman A1]

3. I agree unfortunately with this assessment

I don't see any other options other than to go and vote. If it is rigged, then there is nothing to lose by doing so other than a few minutes of our time.