Here's the thing...this stuff is stressful.

[LuckyCharms]

Every day, it's something else. No day is "calm". NO DAY is calm.

And even though we had a 4 year "reprieve" of sorts with POTUS Biden, Trump was constantly yapping even while Biden was president.

So it's basically been 10 years of daily stress.

This slowly weighs on your mind and body.

Can't go 5 fucking minutes without some horrid horseshit happening in this country.

For 10 fucking years.

And those that are paying attention are stressed as hell...every fucking day.

So what do we do?

Not pay attention and be blissfully unaware like a large percentage of the people in this country? Maybe.

But this is not a viable solution for those who care about those around them.

So, another solution is to fight in any way that we can...which we do.

But this is stressful in itself.

Stress destroys your mind and body. IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS.

A study on the effects of this stress would be pretty much impossible to perform. There are too many variables.

But the increase in excess deaths is a good indicator that things are sideways. A lot of these excess deaths are due to Covid (and Trump's lack of response). I would be interested in knowing how many of these excess deaths are due to the stress that our government imposes on us.

Intuitively, it's not an insignificant number.

All of this is due to:

1) One major asshole's fragile ego and lust for power

2) What that one asshole unleashed.

Fuck Trump with a molten lava enema.

[Walleye]

1. Some of the stress has been caused by the financial pressure and that is caused by Trump's bad policies

We have to remind these Maga. Trump has had more time in office than Biden had. Trump owns all of this

[LuckyCharms]

4. Exactly.

That and the lack of action leading to a healthcare solution.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It sure is stressful, my dear LuckyCharms! It does take a toll.

So what to do? How do we cope?

I find that, for myself, I need to balance out how much of the ick I can take. And then I step away from it. I don't read everything that comes my way.

I listen to music. I stare out the window and watch the sun rise, or set!

We need balance along with awareness. It's up to each one of us to decide how to attain that.

Thanks for your great and timely post!

[1WorldHope]

22. How are you today? Back in the world!

Have you received any reports on your biopsy? I hope you are feeling well Ms. Peggy.

[Kali]

3. oh there are lots of studies on the effects of stress

and while a little stress is important to functioning, constant ongoing stress is EXTREMELY detrimental to health. find ways to care for your self. whether scheduled breaks from the information overload, or just taking regular walks, meditation, or even professional therapy.medication - don't underestimate the damage that is occurring if you are feeling constantly overwhelmed by the world.

[Wednesdays]

14. I think the "variables" the OP was talking about

Was that TSF's effect on stress varies from person to person, and that is the part that can't be measured. But there indeed is an effect, and whatever that is, is definitely detrimental to one's physical and mental health.

[LuckyCharms]

19. That's right. You said it better than I did. n/t

[usonian]

5. I SCAN post titles and only open ones where I think I can help.

Like this one.

Resist temptation. The shitstorm is intentional.

One way to win is to mostly ignore it.

Control what you can control. Influence and help others who are of like minds or just open to ideas.

See "Fight back with Friends" here.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10114548
And here
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/765804/

Taking action replaces doomscrolling.

It's like medicine.

[LuckyCharms]

6. Agree 100%, but my point is...

The very act of taking action is stressful.

There is an opportunity cost to taking action.

Taking action attempts to get us "back to normal".

The opportunity cost of taking action to get us back to normal means that the time spent on taking action and fighting is just "getting us back to normal", without any real PROGRESSION as time passes.

And we've been trying for years to progress on a health care solution, without any success...because we are spending all of our time trying to fight an internal enemy in an attempt to just return to the previous status quo, without any improvement to where we were when all of this began.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Taking action is less stressful than not taking action. . . . nt

[LuckyCharms]

16. Yes, in most cases.

Taking action empowers people...so that in itself is a "good" stress.

But I look at it this way...when I protest (I have many times), as well as write emails to representatives, there is a nagging thought in the back of my mind..

If there is no enforcement of laws...am I just pissing into the wind?

And to be honest, I also have a nagging thought that too many people just don't give a shit enough for us to get to that magical 3.5% of the population needed to effect the change that is needed.

[usonian]

15. "It only hurts if you care"

That's not a snide comment. You care.
This world is full of challenges.

Others have given their lives to "get back to normal"

I guess the only advice I can offer is to be part of a team in the fight.
Your efforts are additive and the camaraderie is a good feeling.

That might sound wishy-washy but ...
I create graphics and even songs, hoping one will go viral and turn it all around.
Not yet, eh?

What can *I* do? I live right now in a red district in CA.
I'm going to boost Newsom's redistricting plan.
The neighboring county flipped blue in the last election.
Would love to see my town flip blue.

Mass actions? If we can't eat the rich, starve them?
Act locally, buy locally?
I am happy to be on the Indivisible and Bernie Sanders mailing lists.
"You are not alone"

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Reduce stress by not renting free space in your mind and by taking action

Do that by: Doing what you can and not stressing on the rest.

Anger and hate are toxic to you but the target feels nothing.
Action and speaking out free you from emotions and the target is affected.

If news makes you angry, severely limit your exposure to news until you learn how to receive it without anger. An angry warrior makes mistakes and becomes a dead warrior or ineffective or negatively effective. Cold focused determination is highly effective and healthier. Healthy warriors accomplish more.

Worry is good in very limited way. It helps you figure out things you can do. But beyond that, spinning the hamster wheel of worry is debilitating and not helpful. Once you've figured out actions and set them in motion, let go of the worry. If you find yourself worrying, ask yourself if it is about new info that is not fully digested, or if there is a new angle you thought of. If neither of those apply, let go and sweep the worry out of your mind. Metaphorically open a door in your mind and let a breeze blow out the worry.

How do you get good at not worrying, not raging, not fearing, not hating? By not indulging it. As many times as necessary.

Make the healthy decision to let the toxic emotions go. If it comes back seconds later, don't get angry at it or your self. Just let it go again. Action is distracting in the most positive way. Even protesting is action. If posting on DU helps, then post, but please work on reducing the doom, anger and hate in posts for the sake of DU members and yourself. "Accentuate the positive" is not trite, it is wisdom.

[Redleg]

8. I had a conversation about this with my department chair last week

She said that she sometimes envied the people who appeared to be unaware of the damage the asshole is doing to the country. She then said that she and I aren't that kind of person so we are going to have to cope as best we can.

It is nice to know that others feel the same way.

I should add that this situation has brought my rage closer to the surface and I am having some difficulty managing it.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Keep the awareness. REGAIN the tranquility. . . nt

[Redleg]

18. I wish it was that easy

We do need to be mindful and take the time to practice some self-care. That is for certain.

[Biophilic]

9. Don't diminish this fight. It's not just one man.

It's a whole bunch of racist people from the very poorest to the billionaires who are pushing for a racist, authoritarian government. They are the ones that both puzzle and scare me. Trump is just one man, but the size of the group supporting and pushing him still boggles my mind. I don't understand people who want evil to befall other people. I just don't.

[Redleg]

12. This is a good point and probably what bothers me the most

To know that a good number of people in this country think what Trump is doing is great.

[CaptainTruth]

61. They should move to another county.

They clearly don't like America.

[3catwoman3]

62. "...a good number of people in this country are flaming assholes."

And proud of being so.

[LuckyCharms]

17. Yes, hence my point #2 in the OP.

Trump "unleashed" the billionaires, via Congress.

Trump unleashed the bigots and racists.

They were always here, but Trump empowered them. He let them crawl out from under their rocks.

[PatSeg]

40. Like zombies being brought to life

I've always known such people existed. I've worked with them and lived near them, but I had no idea there were so many or how extreme they really were. Apparently they just needed permission to be the utter assholes they've always been.

[LuckyCharms]

42. "Like zombies being brought to life"

Damn, that's pretty profound as I think about it.

Well done.

[PatSeg]

49. Thanks

Sometimes they bring to mind the Pod People as well. There is something rather soulless about them that is horrifying.

I suppose all the books and movies may have been preparing us for what we're witnessing today.

[yellow dahlia]

90. Exactly.

They were given permission to be their worst selves.

Hey - I can be a low life...and still get elected to "high office".

[PatSeg]

105. "Maybe it is true, anyone CAN become President!"

[Biophilic]

47. Yes and no. They've been working towards this for a long time.

[LuckyCharms]

53. Damn, all that work to set up an account...

Maybe you need a better hobby?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

57. You are not. You are dull. You bring your echo chamber here. We read Reichwing sites, so we know. . . . nt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

58. The trolls are active today,

luckily, we have a very good MIR team that catches the garbage quickly and takes them to the trash can.
Well done MIRt.

[BumRushDaShow]

63. Her 3rd of the day so far!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

65. Kinda figured it was LG.

If nothing else, she is persistent.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

54. The tRump Derangement disease is strong in you. You've been CONned about antifa and a lot of stuff. . . . nt

[yellow dahlia]

89. I have had the same observation - he let them crawl out from under their rocks.

In 2016, and following, I noted that the reptiles have crawled out from underneath their rocks. He gave them permission to be their worst selves...like him. And when he is gone, they will not crawl back under their rocks. He normalized low grade reptilian behavior.

Remember when those type of people were shunned?

[OldBaldy1701E]

98. I remember when they did not want to be so public because they knew what would happen if they came out in public.

But, here we are.

[PatSeg]

48. I don't understand it either

And that is what really terrifies me. I really don't know what they are capable of.

[WhiteTara]

13. Joan Baez suggest 85% of time in denail

and 15% of time fighting in any way we can. She notes if we don't take time, we will lose our minds. Her solution to denial was to join the circus.

[usonian]

20. Understand that DU is a highly concentrated news aggregator.

I flip over to Hacker News and the temperature drops 30 degrees.
That just means that this is a pressure cooker of news and treat it that way.

Be selective about what you read, to maintain some balance in your life.
And as many of us have suggested, time spent taking positive action (or even a walk to restore calm) is time not spent in doomscrolling.


AND HUMOR HELPS!

P.S. about that lava enema ...

The South Koreans are on the case!

[LuckyCharms]

24. But DU is only a portion of my life.

The internet is only a portion of my life.

When I remodeled my home in 2015, I was too busy to be on the internet much.

This is when the "Trump scare" was in its infancy.

I remember doing some sanding in my kitchen.

My wife came in, I looked at her, and I told her "if he wins, it's going to be fucking bad".

She reminds me of that every day.

It was just intuition.

There was no doom scrolling involved at that time. No spending too much time on the internet. Just an "awareness" that something was off...something bad was coming.

[usonian]

29. Work on root causes?

I am a member of a Buddhist group that advocates "Human Revolutions"
In short, that means living and sharing the ideas of inner light, equality, unselfishness and respect for all.

If people exhibit racism, they have been taught racism. Same for hate, greed, delusion ...
People project their inner weaknesses, fears and failures onto others, and are living outside their own skins. They "just blame"

Un-teaching is hard. Lead by example. Be happy in your skin and others (not all!) will be jealous.

Hate is not Happiness.
People see all the shit outside of themselves and get angry, jealous, artificially stimulated, despondent, and co-dependent, mostly via words - twisted words.
Turn on that inner light and share it with others.

People have been massively deluded. They are living in a virtual universe unrelated to the real world.
Imagine a maga without the constant bombardment on TV and radio.

Converting people in a cult to get out is damn near impossible, but many are only slightly attached (they won't admit it) but have some inertia in breaking out of the illusions so successfully implanted by the hate machine. And which we have NOT countered.
There is no permanent presence between elections.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20648934

What to do? Right now, let's support each other and engage with groups like Indivisible and No Kings.

I have some ideas for both supporting these groups and a little stinging satire today.
Like I've said, maybe the satire falls flat and doesn't go viral, but it keeps me focused and a few do like it.
Team spirit.

And if I go shopping today, I'll wear that Ukraine ballcap.
If not Gavin's!

https://store.gavinnewsom.com/

[some_of_us_are_sane]

70. Hits home, LuckyCharms

Same here. When he first won, my 10 year old grandson was all chipper as I was sitting at my daughter's kitchen table after Trump's 2017 win.

"What's wrong, Gram?" he asked, big grin on his face. (I'm sure after talking to others in his extended family.)

"HE'S A MONSTER!", I said.

I believe he's changed his tune now.

[yellow dahlia]

91. I was living a similar experience.

In 2015 I was very busy, but aware enough to be concerned about the possibility of a Trumpocalypse.

Mr. Dahlia told me he wasn't going to win...not to worry. In the wee hours of November 9, 2016 I was freaking out. I cry/hollered at Mr. Dahlia - you promised me...he wouldn't win.

[LuckyCharms]

92. I remember the morning after election day in 2016...

I took my dog to a park for a walk. I walked deep into the woods with him.

And I remember the "shocked" feeling that I felt while walking. It was one of the most disturbing feelings I've ever experienced.

[yellow dahlia]

96. I have not fully lost that feeling.

He took us into a pandemic, which altered everything.

Biden did his best to pull us out of the mess...inflation and otherwise. But the evil monster was omnipresent during that time, as were his minions and enablers.

Waiting to exhale.

[some_of_us_are_sane]

68. How about THIS, usonian

A brand new club! (Nominees being accepted.)

THE CHINLESS MEN'S CLUB

*Club president: MITCH!



*Members thus far:

These 2: TRUMP AND XI



Michael Cera

[|

Paul Giamatti

[usonian]

72. But I can't join my own club?

Growing a Van Dyke beard lately cuz "why not?"

What chin?

[some_of_us_are_sane]

74. The chin isn't important...

The BRAIN, the HEART and the HUMOR is all you need and you have ALL THREE!

[usonian]

75. Thanks for the best compliment I've gotten since the divorce!

Guess I'll retire at the top.

Naaaaahhhhhhh, I've got some more hi-jinks planned.

Trying to remember what they are.

[druidity33]

81. Paul Giamatti? nt.

[thought crime]

86. NO MERLOT !!!

[kentuck]

21. You are right...

Even when Biden was President, there was no reprieve. By the time this tyrant is gone, he will have controlled this country for as long as Hitler controlled the Third Reich.

[BOSSHOG]

23. A Fragile Ego

And an Incredible Lack of Self Confidence. Leaders do not scream and shout. They do not have to. They team build and succeed. “Leadership” through fear and intimidation is an inevitable recipe for disaster. Trump does not lead or guide. He bullies. That’s the easy way out. His way of life for decades.

[Moostache]

25. There are PLENTY of reasons why I am going to party like its 1999 the day he dies...

That is going to be a global celebration and exhaling of tension that humanity has never seen. The thing I am looking forward to though perhaps even MORE THAN a Trumpless morning on Earth? The sackcloth and ashes and over-the-top memorializing of the MAGA crowd and theur oceans of tears. I just want to make sure I have enough containers to catch enough MAGA tears to have a permanent supply for the rest of my life. No celebration, no toast, no commenoration in the days after the blessed event will feel complete without and obligatory hoisting of a glass of Trump tears. Ever.

[ChazInAz]

44. Let's bottle the tears!

Lachrimae Sec Blanc 2025.
A fine vintage...I'll cellar mine right next to my full pipe of Amontillado.

[pandr32]

26. You hit this one out of the park!

Some of us already struggle with anxiety. I have been a victim of extreme violence and sexual assault and have suffered broken bones and scars. Male predatory language and behavior gets me in a fight or flight state of anxiety (pretty much permanently with this regime of predators), so for some of us we need to add this to all the daily stress.
Thank you for your post!

[LuckyCharms]

34. I am truly sorry for the violence you have endured.

[pandr32]

37. Thank you.

There are so many of us.

[yellow dahlia]

93. I am sorry for your treatment in this life.

At least now we are all in the fight together. You are not alone.

[Martin68]

27. Yes, it is extremely stressful. People like me who have struggled with anxiety and depression are particularly

vulnerable. Over the years I have developed techniques to manage stress, including vipassana meditation and careful management of my exposure to stressful news.

[Alice B.]

28. I can't stop doomscrolling because I don't want to be blindsided by the next awful thing

And it’s wrecking my ability to focus.
I’m having to force myself to read other things.

[PatSeg]

39. Same here

I want to turn it all off and take a break, but like you, I don't want to be blindsided by whatever he has in store for us next. Such a stressful way to live.

[Alice B.]

84. And do you tell yourself you'll stop for the day when you find a piece of hopeful/good news? I do that.

It's like gambling or something, wanting to "end of a good note." *grimace*

[PatSeg]

104. Mostly I try to barrage myself

with period piece programs and science fiction. That takes me out of the present. Also I've been reading quite a bit. I used to read a lot of political books, but now it is primarily fiction, classics, or historical.

[Alice B.]

106. I am MAKING myself read good books again, too

(Or I’m trying)
I was horrified to realize I couldn’t remember the last time I finished a book, when I used to get through one a week practically.

I do know it started last summer, though, with the Biden stuff.

[PatSeg]

107. I've been reading more this past year

than at any other time in my life and I try to mix up as much as possible. Also as I get older, I am trying to keep my mind sharp. Reading seems to help in that regard as well as taking me out of the present for awhile.

[Turbineguy]

30. In one of my classes

I had a difficult student. Constant disruption, complaints, demands. Other students were talking about it. At the end of the first week this student dropped out. I did not think that was a big deal and mentioned it in passing. A strange phenomenon took place. It was as if something pressing down on everyone's shoulders was lifted. You could see the movement.

When trump dies (that's the only cure). That will happen to the entire World.

And that's one reason I look at DU first thing, every morning. Hoping that Orrex is right.

[PatSeg]

38. So true

It is amazing how one obnoxious person can affect so many others. I am still stunned at how much destruction and chaos one petty small-minded man can cause.

[CTyankee]

31. We are moving to a retirement community, Masonicare, full of old liberals, like us...

there will be a few assholes but for the most part it will be a welcoming group of people. We have visited it several times and spoken to some of the residents. And we had lunch there and visited their other dining rooms/snack bars.

We are moving to an apartment where everything can be reached by elevator or is on the floor itself. Hubby is physically handicapped and uses a walker. I have an arthritic spine. But we are sane.

I can do my art thing and will continue. Hubby can watch his sports ad infinitum on TV.

Mercifully, I will be spared much cooking of meals. I am looking forward to that. There are dining rooms and rooms where you can get lighter fare, if you just want soup and a sandwich. It's kinda like a cruise in that way.

Masonicare places probably vary in the types of residents but we met some interesting folks. I was able to have a great conversation with a retired Yale professor and we talked about art.

[llmart]

71. I think what you are describing is one answer (a very major answer) to the problem.

I don't willingly or knowingly have anyone in my life that is MAGA or even a Republican. I know a couple in my mostly senior neighborhood that are and I don't even acknowledge that they exist - no greeting, no eye contact, nothing. They want to push their unholy nonsense on others and still be accepted but not with me. I found out recently that my next door neighbor has been doing the same. He used to talk to a couple frequently and even had them over for drinks on their deck once or twice until he found out they voted Republican. He told me he can no longer have any connection to them. He is devoutly Christian and said he's never hated anyone in his life, but he knows that he hates Trump.

I'm not saying that's what you are doing, but you have found a place where you are going to find many like minded people (and by like minded I mean just civil and kind and dare I say educated? It helps greatly to surround yourself with people like that to balance out the daily onslaught of pure evil we are seeing.

[CTyankee]

76. Well, I try to avoid the ones I call "the religiously insane." They are the worst.

[lastlib]

32. ...and a saguaro cactus.

And a pitchfork. A dull rusty, manure-encrusted, tetanus-infected pitchfork with bent tines. Sideways.

Love the "molten lava enema"! (may have to steal that if you don't mind!)

[Maru Kitteh]

33. I rec'd this post based on the last line alone. Yes please.

[PatSeg]

35. It has all taken quite a toll

And there seems to be no real break from it. I'll probably never look at life and people the same way again.

[LoisB]

36. Exactly and perfectly stated. Thank you.

[Orrex]

41. And his fuckhead kkkuktists endlessly accusing us of TDS

As if he isn’t actively destroying the nation and as much of the world as possible in real time.

No, **we’re** the crazy ones for calling it out.

[LisaM]

43. I know. I just want to wake up and not hear the name.

For a long time, my relief was listening to CBC radio (I am near Canada). I could keep track of world events and also got a nice dose of music, literature, and poetry, things that reduce stress from my life.

Well, the whole tariff and immigration thing changed that. Now they have to deal with that toddler and his tantrums, too. And he's always on the news there now, too. And they didn't vote for it at all (though he probably prevented them from getting Polievre).

To be fair, much of this has been going on since Reagan, just more quietly.

[mountain grammy]

46. I agree with every word.

[hamsterjill]

50. Gosh, Lucky. I wish I could recommend this post a gazillion times!

You said it! You nailed it. It HAS BEEN ten years of his constant squawking and whining and finger pointing and threatening and manipulating and more importantly, LYING through his teeth. We are all just tired of him.

I find that people who are more empathetic are certainly more affected by struggles and suffering, etc. Not only that which they, themselves, endure, but what they see going on with others. Democrats are most assuredly more empathetic than most Republicans. We have the ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes and understand that most times, the very same thing COULD be happening to us. I think that adds to all of the stress, too, but I think empathy is a necessary and positive thing.

We face this with camaraderie and by leaning on one another. When one is weak, another will be strong. I'm always glad to know that I can come here and have someone to lean on.

[yellow dahlia]

94. We keep each other propped up.

[Gimpyknee]

51. I feel your pain.

[Miles Archer]

55. Ten years, plus.

My awareness of Trump goes back to the Howard Stern appearances. I thought then, as I do now, that he was a boorish pig.

I never watched a single episode of "The Apprentice."

I always thought of Trump as a big mouthed blowhard, a sexist pig, an attention-starved prick.

And he launched one of the most racist conspiracy theories to test the waters for a political run.

I've said many times that he didn't shut that fat mouth for ONE DAY during Biden's presidency.

Compare that to the public profiles of Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton, post-presidency.

Trump didn't shut up for ONE DAY in that four years.

And now that John Roberts has anointed him as the modern-day Christ child, he's only going to get worse.

What can we do? Repeat the word "vote" as many times as needed between now and next November and hope that lazy, apathetic American voters who made this happen actually understand what's at stake.

[maxsolomon]

59. Not often I read an DU OP I completely agree with.

This one is spot on.

I have to limit how much I consume. It doesn't work most of the time. I'm very angry and I can tell I'm depressed. I vacillate between gallows-humor cynicism and hopelessness. I can't wait for Dotard McNarcissist to die (peacefully in his sleep, of course).

I can't believe this is where our country has gone and that I have to spend my 50s and 60s living in this absolute shit show. I've come to see my fellow Americans as gullible idiots.

My watchword is Perserverance. Just persevere.

[Justice matters.]

60. It would not be like that if the extreme court "judges"

had not lie under oath in their confirmation hearings.

One convicted felon would not be immune from his obvious 10-year-long crime spree.

[LymphocyteLover]

64. 100%!!! He's going to be obnoxious and make our life hell every day until he's left his mortal form.

[Prairie_Seagull]

66. My go to these days is,

"WHAT THE FUCK IN THE MATTER WITH YOU". Present company mightily excepted of course.

Walking and stretching are the only things that help with the stress.

Those and a drink or two.

Edit: I misspelled excepted (Wife pointed it out) Love it when she does that. haha

[2naSalit]

67. Part of the plan...

The part where they wear you down so that you can't take it anymore. That's why they should be dealt with early on.

[GiqueCee]

69. A lot of inspirational information...

... in this thread. I am grateful. But even if Trump dies tomorrow, as was mentioned earlier, the poisonous effects of his influence will linger for God only knows how long.
However, another, even more insidious shadow is still going to have a detrimental effect: PUTIN. Trump is a traitor, but no one wants to even acknowledge this irrefutable fact; it's too scary. And if they did acknowledge it, then they'd have to do something about it. He's been in Putin's pocket for decades, and much of the damage he's done, though it satisfies his own vindictive nature, has primarily been done at Vlad's behest. Putin has hated the US since he was a child, and he wants to destroy America from within, without firing a shot. And he's succeeding, with the help of the irredeemably corrupt GOP, the craven SCOTUS majority, and a substantial percentage of the populace that is consumed by inchoate resentments that they're too stupid to even articulate. Sadly, I've got some of these raging idiots in my immediate family, and they are beyond reason; they are too invested in their diseased belief system to ever admit what's staring them right in the face: They. Fucked. Up. BIG time. And all their suffering is a direct result of their support for a malicious liar and bully. But they love his fat, pimply ass because, as another poster accurately pointed out, he gave them permission to openly be the assholes they've always been.
Remember when, in 2018 I think it was, a delegation of Republicans visited Moscow on the fucking FOURTH OF JULY? Is anyone foolish enough to believe that was a coincidence? And why did they refuse to reveal any of their discussions? Inquiring minds want to know.
I suspect they were laying the groundwork for what we're experiencing right now. Republicans have always hated democracy, and now that they've proven that fact beyond any shadow of a doubt, they don't even try to hide it anymore.
So, yeah, we've got an uphill battle in front of us, even after Trump is dead, which can't happen soon enough to suit me. So gird your loins, me hearties, it's gonna be a long, hard ride.

[Initech]

73. I feel like I've aged 20 years in the last 6 months.

Fuck this shit. Fuck Donald Trump. Fuck Fox News. I just want some fucking normalcy, free from these clowns and this nightmare hellscape.

[yellow dahlia]

95. I second that emotion.

[RT Atlanta]

77. so perceptive - thank you

the continued stress builds up and while ignoring is helpful short term, we have to fight this shit.

Yes, it's all because the most fragile ego to show up on the world scene in the last 150 years also happens to be one of the best snakeoil salesmen/cult leaders.

To hell with that sumbitch, his goddamned family, and for every enabler that helped him along way (including all the magats that voted for this shit twice)

[Mme. Defarge]

78. This morning I did a search on how unrelieved longterm stress

Last edited Thu Sep 25, 2025, 09:18 AM - Edit history (1)

affects short-term memory, since my "CRS" condition seems to be worsening. I still do my daily Wordle and Extreme Sudoko with my usual successful attempts at puzzle solving, and am now working on a third manuscript for a mystery series. Intensive focus on something other than the unfolding political catastrophe does bring me some relief, as does my evening attempt at "self-medication" as a habitual moderate drinker. The search results indicate that ongoing stress can, in fact, take a toll on the ability to recall certain recent events. Mais, c'est la guerre.

9/25/25, 7:18 A.M.
I forgot to mention something important -
until 2018 my blood pressure was ALWAYS in the low normal range. That changed in 2018 and I’m STILL struggling to find a medication that keeps my systolic readings below 120.

[PittBlue]

79. I say this everyday...

Even when we had our wonderful Joe Biden in office, trump was front page news everyday. He has stolen all of our joy for ten years.

[Clouds Passing]

80. It's "Living the Crisis Lifestlye" "On the cortisol rollercoaster" "Always constant drama".............

[intrepidity]

82. My only hope is that *he* also is subject to the effects of stress

He is so much closer to its origins, it must affect him somehow. Hopefully it isn't just that his perverse biology has adapted to actually thrive on it.

[BigmanPigman]

83. Tell me about it!!!

I dropped to 81 pounds in 6 months without trying and it is 100% due to tRump.

My primary care doctor (also a Dem) understands completely.

Even if I stop watching/reading daily news for 6 months my subconscious knows what is going on and my poor body is freaking out.

Part of it is due to my health insurance increasing from $194 a month th $1,200 a month (1/3 of my monthly income). I can not afford to live in 2026.

Team tRump wants to bankrupt us then kill us in that order.

[babylonsister]

85. Amen, thank you, recommend. nt

[thought crime]

87. In the book Surviving Autocracy, Masha Gessen likens the stress to living during a war.

[yellow dahlia]

88. You are absolutely correct.

I put energy into protests and rallies and writing to Senators and sharing information and disseminating information and fact checking. I consume information and truth...much of it on DU.

It takes a toll, but I often say: I have but one sanity to give to my country.

The more they assault our institutions of democracy, the harder I resist.

The understanding and awareness of other DUer's like you gives me fuel.

[Woodwizard]

97. I go out to my shop and listen to music or podcasts.

In the afternoon I may listen to my local public radio stations, WAMC and get the news or wait until the evening. Make sure to donate to your local stations.

In the evening I check NPR, BBC and AP news. And come here for any latest news that may be trending.

I do not watch network news It is designed to grab you attenion and emotions we do not even get it, my cable is internet only.

I am a member of our local democratic committee, it starts at the local level.

I do get infuriated over what is going on, but do not submerge myself every minute of the day in it. Just not good for mental health.

[mdbl]

99. The real stress comes from the lack of oversight by those that took an oath to protect the constitution

Majority in Congress and the SCROTUS have abdicated their responsibility to this country so people like Clarence Thomas can accept bribes and gifts with no scrutiny. This set the example for the rest of them.

[coolhandlulu]

100. Amen

Came out of lurk mode to support this post. Basically, I feel abused at this point.

[Ferrets are Cool]

101. 3) an enabling SCOTUS

[Aristus]

102. I was comparing a picture of me from 2016 and one from a couple of months ago.

I look like I've aged twenty years.

[LuckyCharms]

103. Same here, Aristus.

I look in the mirror, and I don't recognize myself.