This message was self-deleted by its author

[HillbillyDaoist]

This message was self-deleted by its author (HillbillyDaoist) on Tue Oct 11, 2022, 05:52 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Ocelot II]

1. That's exactly what they want us to do. So, no. Not me.

[treestar]

85. [phone]

Exactly.

[berniesandersmittens]

2. No

Giving up is not an option.

[likesmountains 52]

3. No.

[Meadowoak]

4. I gave up on America, November 2016. That is all.

[laurieu]

79. Please remember that in November 2016

most Americans didn't vote for Trump, and so many Americans voted against him in 2020 that even the electoral college couldn't put him in.

[vanlassie]

5. Get a support group to help chart your best path now. And welcome to DU.

We provide lots of support too.

[CurtEastPoint]

7. Great advice. Don't sequester yourself. Seek a good resource for help. Best to you!

[HillbillyDaoist]

12. Thank you vanlassie

I have and also not one but 2 therapists. One in person and one by Zoom. I have several spiritual practices in an attempt to hopefully relieve the stress. It probably hasn't helped to work in frontline social services where every day is crisis after crisis.

[NJCher]

21. don't know if this is what you're talking about

have several spiritual practices

If it's meditation, I read where the majority of people who engage in this practice do so because it alleviates emotional distress (and works).

I do it but call it something else because I don't like religion or religious connotations, even if it's close to Buddhist, which is actually pretty cool. Anyway, I didn't do it for that reason but I can tell you it works for me, but I was OK to start with so maybe that doesn't mean anything. I guess I'm just saying it makes me feel even better than I already felt, which was very good.

I wanted to read your entire post but couldn't because my eyes kept getting lost in the long paragraph. Maybe separate into paragraphs for readability?

[zanana1]

6. NEVER!

[Johnny2X2X]

8. Why now?

Democrats control the White House, The Senate, and the House. Biden has gotten more meaningful legislation passed in 2 years than any president since LBJ. The upcoming election is going to be historic for Dems in that if we do lose the House, it will be only by a very thin margin in a mid term where the party out of power usually cleans up. We're also going to flip a few governorships and state houses/senates.

Just one last surge and we can hold the House and gain in the Senate. Give Biden that much control and you're going to see amazing things for 2 more years.

They stole the SCOTUS, but remember, Dems hold more power right now and have a great chance to expand that power in less than a month. The Trump fascists are perhaps 20% of the country, it's a shrinking gorup.

[HillbillyDaoist]

13. I am hoping hoping hoping

I love Biden and Harris and support them 110%. They are amazing.

[maxsolomon]

9. No, I'm too lazy to give up on it.

Besides, I kept telling all my Eeyore friends in 2020 that "it was all going to work out", and it did.

You may think the homophobia and racism is rampant now, but you know it was far worse when we were young. We're just more aware of every incident.

Things are getting better despite the unacceptable backsliding that gets oversized attention.

[HillbillyDaoist]

15. I agree

It was worse when we were young. I feel dismayed that rights we fought so hard to achieve are slowing being stripped away.

[treestar]

86. Exactly

Maybe a bit better in the UK, etc., but they have their faults.

We have made progress. We can still fight against the regression that appears to be happening. Nothing that has not happened before.

[Sky Jewels]

10. One piece of hope I hold onto is that the younger generations coming up are not buying the

MAGAt fantasies and bullshit. Millennials and Gen Z are in general much more progressive than the preceding generations and with every election they're an increasingly larger share of voters. And they are not turning conservative as they age -- they're largely staying progressive.

I completely understand your dismay, though. I've been there. I'm waiting for November 8 and then seeing where we are.

[mahina]

56. That might be a little broad

To paraphrase the great Will Pitt, just remember there’s only 17 to 24% of those absolute wingers that believed George W. Bush and vote for the goons every time.

Will said that minority will absolutely vote even if it’s raining live jaguarsIf we don’t vote we let them decide what happens. Let’s not.

Oh and welcome to DU.

[captain queeg]

20. Agreed. I know many despair at their futures. Need to get them to vote.

[Sky Jewels]

75. They turned out big in 2018 and in 2020.

In fact, if it weren't for them (and also for black women), we'd be in the second Trump term (horrifying thought).

I think Dobbs, gun violence, and climate change will spur the under-40 demo to turn out big in a month, as well.

[PJMcK]

11. I'll wait and see

We have several plans and we’ll watch what happens over the next couple of years.

Good luck.

[HillbillyDaoist]

17. Can you share?

How did you develop your plans? The only plan I have now is to completely disconnect and I don't want to do that but I also don't want to feel anxious, depressed and agitated every day over the latest MAGA-inspired shitstorm. I am 5 years from retirement and feel fearful that Republicans will destroy Social Security and I'll have to work til I die at my desk.

[PJMcK]

23. Not really

But I will share a story.

A mentor, business partner and good friend was born in Austria and when he saw what the Nazis were doing he and his brother moved to the United States. He got a job in the mailroom of a music company and later ended up being able to buy the company and became a major force in the music business. Although he has passed on, his daughter took over the business and has made it thrive. My friend concocted a plan and took care of his family and himself.

There are lots of different ways to escape. Think outside the box, as they say.

[Pinback]

14. First of all, welcome to DU!

There is much inspiration here and many supportive and empathetic posters.

Second of all, NO. Republicans would like nothing better than for a bunch of Democrats and progressive independents to become citizens of a foreign country. Or, at the very least, to give up on voting and political activism.

When we are in the fight of our lives is hardly the time to give up on America or on American democracy. Injustice and inequality are not new to this country. Our permanent project is to be the force that helps bend the arc of history toward justice. The best way to alleviate the suffering of others is to work for justice. It doesn’t just happen on its own.

[HillbillyDaoist]

16. Great response thanks

I guess I am just exhausted and burnt out and apparently haven't found what I need to refresh and recharge for the battle. Will keep looking. Quality time with my 3-legged rescue cat certainly helps LOL.

[haele]

19. Give up? What would that mean?

So, you're asking me if I'm ready to just accept my family and I are going to become drones of some autocratic system, or if I'm considering suicide and just go gently into that dark night?
While there is crisis above my pay grade to wave the magic wand and get rid of the greedy imbecilic bullies grabbing for power because they can't stand their fee-fees getting inconvenienced, that doesn't mean I'm totally powerless to affect progressive change.
Even if it's the little things, like building community resources and connections, educating children by word and by actions, and voting. Understanding History is important, also. The one thing modern Western culture has going for it is that it reluctantly embraced enough of the Enlightenment that the 'lower classes' started thinking themselves equal to the elites and it stuck, whether or not God gets involved

Eventually, the bullies destroy themselves. They will always start eating their own once they think they've 'won'.

Haele

[HillbillyDaoist]

22. Yes they do eventually destroy themselves. Thank God.

I think my disillusionment stems from 40 years of frontline work as I mentioned in previous response above and looking at where we are now and wondering WTH. I need to remember the positive effect and changes I have made in those 40 years. I volunteered for several years at an LGBTQ crisis line and that was some of the most satisfying work I've ever done. I live in a very rural farming community now where there are only 5 other out LGBTQ folks in my town besides me. Am guessing there is a need here for that kind of support because we don't have it. Heck, in Phoenix I was stabbed and gutted by a homeless client (and know what my intestines look like) and still went back to that same job after 3 months recovery. So I guess walking away isn't in my nature. Your comment has helped me realize those things. You DU'ers are awesome. Thank you for the time to respond and share. It has helped already.

[claudette]

24. Maybe if

the orange criminal is not punished for his crimes. I know that some in my family definitely are leaving if he is not held accountable. They feel there's nothing left to "save" here.

[BannonsLiver]

25. I don't live here by choice

But when you’re married one person doesn’t and should not make all of the decisions. I’m more over “Americans” than the concept.

[HillbillyDaoist]

27. I like how you reframed that

Great choice of words. In my word vomit post I wish I had said it that way.

[BannonsLiver]

28. I liked your post FWIW

It’s a worthwhile topic.

[Skittles]

26. I won't give up but I DO understand your pessimism

it's like we keep sliding further and further back......

one reason is the antiquated Electoral College - it is actively working against the best interests of America now.....

[sarisataka]

29. No

Welcome to DU

[HillbillyDaoist]

39. That made me spit take LOL

Am I the only one that wondered why the villains didn't just knock Batman in the head instead of say trying to fry him in a gigantic waffle iron then drowning him in a giant vat of maple syrup?

[Scrivener7]

30. What does "giving up on America" look like? If you decide that you do want

to give up on America, what will you be doing differently?

[emulatorloo]

31. No. We have a midterm election coming up. Vote and take people who need rides to the polls.

Never Give Up.

[LakeArenal]

32. What a sad sorry point of view.

I count my blessings. Everyday. I make it a point not to be a downer. I think it’s a choice.

Good luck.

[BlackSkimmer]

43. But, you did leave the US. Right?

[HillbillyDaoist]

89. What a sad sorry response.

Guessing you don't work in crisis management?

[Patton French]

33. Not yet. NT

[dawg]

34. The dream of America is still alive as long as we are.

It sometimes seems like we can't win. But we don't have to be able to see the path to victory. We just have to hold the line and keep the embers alive for one more day.

And then we get up the next morning and do it all over again.

Maybe those younger than us will eventually find a way to permanently safeguard our democracy, if only we keep the door cracked open long enough to give them a chance.

Or, maybe the forces of hate and authoritarianism will eventually triumph over all.

But ... not today!

[moonscape]

49. Am thinking I need to tape this post

to my mirror and read it every morning as I brush my teeth. And maybe race back and read it at weak moments throughout the day. And before I go to sleep …

[JudyM]

35. We won't win if we succumb to discouragement. We are essentially resistance fighters at this point.

We can feel discouraged but still stay in it because we believe in what’s right, and that it’s worth fighting for, that’s key. We will lose or we will win by a slim margin, either way.

Take a break to recharge, HillbillyDaoist. If you care enough to be despondent, you care enough to keep in the fight.

[BlackSkimmer]

45. Why are we resistance fighters when we have a Democratic president?

What is it with the defeatism here lately?

[JudyM]

50. We're not resisting Dems. We are resisting the coordinated destruction of our democracy.

Do you believe it’s defeatist to urge folks to keep fighting that fight?

They own the Supreme Court. They have been systematically co-opting state election infrastructure. Etc. The stakes could not be higher, IMO.

[BlackSkimmer]

51. Your statement was "we are essentially resistance fighters at this point" as though we are somehow

less than. Nah. Nope.

I could see that statement under tfg, but I consider myself a full citizen of this country with my voting rights just fine, my president doing his best, my Dem governor doing well...

I don't think I'm "essentially a resistance fighter at this point."

Are you familiar with resistance fighters from WW2? Are you living like they did?

[HillbillyDaoist]

90. Belittling?

Your responses sure seem belittling to those of us who may be struggling with where the country is right now. What are YOU doing to make the country a better place??

[Tommymac]

64. I get what you are saying.

GOTV work is resistance work anymore. So many real QOP crazies out there now that I never canvas alone anymore.

And I didn't interpret your post as defeatist. We all have our viewpoint.



#GOTV2022
#ROEVEMBER2022
#BLUEWAVE2022

[JudyM]

87. That's true, too, about GOTV.

Threats have gotten real. Thanks for your work, Tommymac, and for the nod.

[ancianita]

74. Because there are anti-democratic

CORPORATE funding and message forces in corporate owned media that are so amplified these days that we think their human voters these days are a bigger population than they really are.

There is always the Fear Uncertainty Doubt (FUD) media, in tandem with the
Horse Race media, besides the
Right Wing media -- they profit off that.

The media playbook is to "manage perception" such that too many of us in the 77% believe that the 23% of America are powerful. They are not.

This won't stop because when corporations want your government, they can outlast generations of humans until they do enough communications, economic (supply chain choking) and political tyranny and trauma damage to take over.

Do we have to take breaks? Yes. But not this month, and really not until after January 2025.

[Higherarky]

80. There is so much ugly

It's a challenge, sometimes, to maintain a cheerful countenance and an optimistic perspective.

Even here at DU, ugliness sometimes jumps out unexpectedly and knocks the wind out of the best of us.

I know; it has happened to me. Yes, I'm pointing a finger.

[Deuxcents]

36. Give up on my country? Never. Ever.

I’ll go down swinging before I lay down n give up. I don’t like some of the things done in my name as a citizen/taxpayer but we have what some do not. A voice. We can vote. I have, at times, thought about running away but that was in a moment of despair n quickly faded. I’ll stand n fight. ✊

[Fiendish Thingy]

37. Welcome to DU- friendly tip:

Paragraph breaks are your friend.

I know how you feel. I moved to Canada 10 years ago, when I was 55 (applied when I was 50). I hope you can find some form of solace, wherever you are.

[HillbillyDaoist]

40. Uh oh....

Sorta didn't obviously remember paragraph breaks. Time to edit LOL.

[YoshidaYui]

38. Today I AM sending IN MY BALLOT

IF I didn't care I WOULD not vote, but I CARE! I ALSO encourage everyone to vote this November!

[SheltieLover]

41. To give up is to allow shitbag pootin to win. NEVER!

Get your Dao on my friend.

[BlackSkimmer]

42. Why? Why when Dems are in control?

Dem president, and tfg is gone. So why now?

[Bo Zarts]

44. No.

[KPN]

46. Just know that you are but one of millions. And those millions are subset

of tens of millions more — Democrats, liberals and like-minded moderate Indies and even some Rs. We outnumber them by far. And we represent good — not greed, not evil, not hate. In the end, we will win as good always does.

Hang in there. I feel just like you, exactly as you described, each morning when I scan the latest news. I am stronger than they are. You are too.

[jmbar2]

47. Absolutely not giving up on America

Democracy is a verb, not a noun. We have to work at it.

I've been doing a lot of reading in African American history lately because it gives me inspiration. No matter how stacked against them, how much abuse and terror were dished out to them, they kept fighting to make America live up to its founding ideals. Their ceaseless trodding forward over generations did more to bring us to a closer realization of what democracy really should be than anything the "Founding Fathers" did.

I say this as a white person. We have no right to give up on democracy after so many generations of oppressed people fought to correct its many failings.

There was a really good series on PBS recently about the African American experience in Reconstruction. I highly recommend that you binge watch it to get inspired.

One other tidbit. Right after the Bush-Gore Supreme Court ruling that gave Bush the presidency, a young man in Florida became so distraught that he took his own life at 24.

If he could only have known that just four years later, Barack Obama would become president, he likely would have made a different decision.

You are assuming democracy will lose. I'm not. We have to be like the Ukrainians and our African American brothers and sisters and persevere, not only for ourselves, but for those who come after us.

Take some time to get your head in a better space, but never even think of giving up. This mess is an opportunity for you to pick up the baton. We can do this!

[madashelltoo]

48. Nope!

Never.

[niyad]

52. Being the stubborn, nasty, old woman that I am, HELL NO!

And I thank the amazing DU community that has been my home and sanctuary lo tthese 20+ years for that.

[jimfields33]

53. Having a masters degree should open doors. I don't care where the school is.

The important part is the interview along with prior experience. Perhaps getting some interview techniques down and help. This is the greatest opportunity to get a good job right now. I wish you the best.

[ShazzieB]

70. No, a school's reputation can make a difference. Especially if it has a bad reputation?

The U of Phoenix has a very bad reputation. Take a look at this:

https://www.askamanager.org/2015/03/should-i-take-the-university-of-phoenix-off-my-resume.html

[ShazzieB]

72. No, a school's reputation can make a difference. Especially if it has a bad reputation.

Deservedly or not, the U of Phoenix has a very bad reputation. Take a look at this:

https://www.askamanager.org/2015/03/should-i-take-the-university-of-phoenix-off-my-resume.html

[mahina]

54. I find comfort in history, art, music, a little time with friends and family,

The simple pleasures of life including taking a walk, petting a dog, I small projects around the house I can actually start and finish, little joys. Little pockets of happiness. Gratitude of course, always. These are the things that keep me breathing in and out.

Is any of your student debt forgivable?

But to your greater point, for myself, I can’t give up on America because the alternative before us if we do give up is so stark and horrendous there’s really no considering it. The alternative waits for us to give up and that is definitely their best possible outcome. They have plans for us all right and none of it is good, so I’m not about to give up.

Consider that the world ends every night until the sun comes up and we somehow find courage for another day. Consider that there are places in the world filled with kindness and love. I try to find a little bit of that in my own heart to give and then things are better.

[LymphocyteLover]

55. No, but I understand the feeling completely. Maybe take a break from poltiics for a bit

[yaesu]

57. Yes, I have because I see no way of defeating fascism while unfettered

capitalism is allowed to take over our economy, laws, judges, courts & politicians. That will not change in my lifetime nor for coming generations. But, will try to keep democracy afloat as long as possible.

[mwooldri]

58. Since I got a pending N400 with USCIS...

... the answer would be "no".

[AZLD4Candidate]

61. Wait until the NVC stage. you'll change your mind.

[mwooldri]

83. I don't know what NVC stage is but...

... I do have an appointment. November 8th. In Charlotte NC.

[Aviation Pro]

59. No.

Not ever.

[AZLD4Candidate]

60. i sort of did when the land of immigrants denied my wife's green card for a third time

and I got my Chinese spouse visa in seven days.

[hibbing]

62. We are the majority

Who was the last R president to win the popular vote? Granted, the system screws us over and there is a lot wrong. However, we are the majority. At least this is what I keep telling myself to not get too down. Also, turning off the talking heads has helped me.

Peace

[Elessar Zappa]

63. I know how you feel but no.

I’m stuck here so I won’t ever give up. Sometimes it is worthwhile to disconnect and take an extended break from all media. Enjoy the outdoors. Read a good book. Binge a series on Netflix. There’s still a lot of good in this world.

[LaMouffette]

65. No, not about to give up. We must fight like a Ukrainian. Not with weapons, I hope, but with

everything we've got short of that.

I feel overwhelmed and frustrated, too, but remember that giving up is exactly what the Repubes want us to do. And please don't leave. We need you! Welcome to DU!

[MontanaMama]

66. Not in a million years.

I'm not handing my country over to a bunch of lunatic fascists. WE ARE THE MAJORITY.

[liberal N proud]

67. Not a chance.

As broken as some want us to belive, there is nothing better

[MLAA]

68. Thank you for your years of work in social services.

I can only imagine how draining and at the same time rewarding it must be to know you are making a difference in the lives of others. A noble calling, but one that no doubt leaves you feeling empty sometimes. All I can suggest is get rest, be kind to yourself, try to do things you enjoy, and hang around upbeat people to recharge your batteries.

Welcome to DU!

PS: I find cute animal videos very soothing ❤️

[HillbillyDaoist]

91. Thank you.

I deeply appreciate your kind words and suggestions. I try to surround myself with only positive persons in my spare time (not an option at work LOL), listen to only happy music, read only positive uplifting books, meditate, dote on my 3-legged kitty, eat healthy...basically all the things I know to do. It's just weird that I seem to have hit the wall. About 2 weeks in a lakeside cabin would probably work wonders.

[BigmanPigman]

69. I gave up on America in 1979 when I was finally allowed to vote

when I turned 18. I don't know if it was my family being life long Dems or the sham election by Raygun using the US hostages in Iran as a campaign tool or both but I knew this country was a greedy, selfish, purposely ignorant, pious, hateful society. Nothing has changed...they have only gotten a zillion times worse.

By the way, I am not negative. I am a realist. I think that perspective has kept me relatively sane (the jury is still out on that one). I expect Americans and our politicians to continue to get worse, at least for a very long time.

Since I am a realist and am fully aware of the challenges both long and short term I will continue to fight them, just as I have done since 1979. I am a stubborn realist!!! The more the GQP hurts me personally and the country in general I will fight back even harder!!!!!

I have Italian citizenship and could move to Italy but then I a look at their new fascist leader, mini Mussolini supported by corruption. It is the same BS everywhere. People suck!

[jaxexpat]

71. If the government seems different, so does the governed.

The good times "conservatives" fantasize about and want to see us returned to were low tech terrible, generally and for an "out" gay person, totally impossible. The society that accepted those conditions as normal were very different in their customs, practices and expectations of proper social conduct. They were, in a word, childish in their naivety.

It was only about 75 years ago, when the country was still trying to normalize from a nation at war. The problem was that there could be no turning back to 1930 when the calendar said 1950. Too much didn't equate, didn't have a purpose or justification in a jet-age, a space-age, a rock-n-roll age or a cold war age. Television connected Americans with the world in real time like never in history and the news was mostly good if you could adapt to the pace. Many could and did and many others didn't and resented the hell out of those who told them they should.

MAGA is the custom home of those who worship the memory of the "non-adapters", and they're being led by reality TeeVee fraudsters, but since they're desperate enough, they'll swallow it all or choke to death trying. They're temporary, though. In a decade we'll all look back either from a better place or across a battlefield wasteland. In either case, the rest of the world will probably follow suit. So, there's really no "long term" better place to emigrate to. But one thing they held to be true that still holds true today is "if it seems too good to be true, it's not true". That goes for useless "degrees" just as it did for "gypsy" bargain barn painters.

[Hotler]

73. Don't be afraid of these fuckers. It's what they are counting on.

Bunch of fucking morons.

[Dave says]

76. Not giving up here

Take a break. Go outside. Often. Breath in the breeze and relish the sunlight. Take it one day at a time.

[HillbillyDaoist]

92. Thanks!

[mountain grammy]

77. It's a big country..

find a place you love and where you are loved. There are plenty, believe me.

[redwitch]

78. No.

Vote.

[HillbillyDaoist]

93. Every election since 1980

I even attend my local city council meetings and boy those will certainly make you lose faith in humanity LOL.

[ecstatic]

81. If I had options, I would. For me it's not so much "giving up,"

but escaping what's coming in the future. If trumpism is reinstalled, millions will die. This country would not be a safe place for me or really anyone.

[liberaltrucker]

82. I pretty much gave up in Nov 1980

when ray gun was elected.

[vercetti2021]

84. I am not

My rights matter and I'm not gonna let the christofascists take that away from me or anything else. I'll fight, I'll die if I gotta. But I will never surrender to them.

[applegrove]

88. Giving up on America is like giving up on humanity. Every so often

you have to fight for freedom of speech and freedom to vote. Happens every 70-80 years it seems.

[betsuni]

94. You'll always be American no matter where you go.