My problem with DU ...our country ...and our government.

[L0oniX]

I get angry! That's not good for me ...or maybe anyone. It isn't the usual gang of DU assholes that brings it on. It's the feelings of futility, the growing pessimism, the resentment and the constant bombardment of the stupidity from gov representatives who are supposed to be smarter than your average bear ...but obviously are not. I ask myself "self ...why do you even give a fuck?" At this point I am ready to stoke up some mighty ignore functions in my brain and my life. IMO it is better to have a calm social demeanour and reduce as much stress as possible in any legal way I can. I've discovered that being on DU has a detrimental affect on me. I feel a need to better myself and reduce my over all anger. I am not too old to change and I am looking to implement some thought process techniques. 1) control initial burst of anger, calm down quicker, & let go of anger sooner 2) convert criticism & pessimism to praise & optimism 3) look for good in people (and myself) instead of bad 4) convert resentment into forgiveness. Mission impossible? Na ...I am going to back off from giving a shit about what this fucked up country and it's fucked up government does ...maybe even not vote ever again. For me it is not worth getting riled up about anymore. There's nothing to be gained anymore from getting riled up. IMO this government and country where greed rules all has gone to far off the deep end for any chance of a cure unless you can somehow get Goldman Sachs out of our fucked up government. Anyway I am done giving a shit about those greedy disgusting predatory assholes whether its the banksters or MIC exploitation and of course the ever growing group of assholes who infiltrate our imperialistic exceptionalist government so later on they can become corporate lobbyists after everything they fucking vote on is for their future ...not mine. I got to step back and ask myself if it's worth getting angry over ...and ya know what ...It's not.

[Egnever]

1. DU while at times quite informative

is full of ignorant BS. One should not take this place too seriously it does not reflect the real world. If you start believing everything you read here or buying into all the outrage it is time to step back outside and realize life still goes on and the sky is not falling.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. +1,000,000!! I have to keep reminding myself.

[G_j]

68. What I got from the OP was that

they were angered by the awareness that comes from keeping up with our depressing state of current affairs. DU is a great place for that.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

2. You are not alone.

[adirondacker]

3. Looking around, listening, and reading, doesn't make me wonder why anymore. nt

[dogknob]

4. Living in coastal OC, I must apply this philosophy about once per minute...

I choose my words, and the timing of them, carefully... and, as a result, I end up in conversations with people usually much younger than myself. Not a bad deal, really.

[PowerToThePeople]

5. And then they came for L0oniX

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

Please rethink this OP. Take a timeout for a bit to calm yourself. I have had to at times. It is very overwhelming. Someone still needs to fight the good fight. L0oniX, you fight the good fight.

[liberal_at_heart]

6. It's certainly a hard balance to strike. I believe in the power of organizing and protesting.

I will fight for my son's education. I will never give up on that. But I definitely see where you are coming from. I find myself reflecting on how angry I find myself through out the day. I think I will continue to look for ways to make a difference but I too am going to try and ratchet down my anger. It's not good for me or for my cause. Getting angry at people and being confrontational is counter productive. We need to look to Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi as examples when trying to strike a balance between fighting for justice while still being kind and loving toward one another.

[JaneyVee]

7. I like yoga, meditation, optimism, mj, and new age philosophies.

Love, light, and energy.

[RosieS57]

8. Dunno how...

.....you can take care of the world without caring for yourself, first, youngster.

Take good care of YOU. Although it is not my fault, my caretaker Hubs must bathe and dress me since I cannot do so myself.

The world is necessarily in second place to my being taken care of.

Time to get back to where you once belonged.

Regards from Rosie

[truedelphi]

15. Welcome to DU.

I keep wishing and hoping we'll get back to where we belong.

[L0oniX]

45. Welcome to DU Rosie.

[RosieS57]

47. Many Thanks

To you and to Truedelphi, as well.

Regards from Rosie

[fadedrose]

75. Oh Rosie, you are a real champ

Am wishing you and your Hubs are getting by, and hoping that you will get some relief from worrying about the government.

Welcome and come often. I love you already.

[RosieS57]

81. Oh my!

Thank you so very much! How kind of you. I will be your superfan in return, howzat? <grin>

Regards from Rosie

[fadedrose]

84. Sounds great

but I don't deserve a fan, a boot would be more apt.

[Kelvin Mace]

9. I could have written this post

any number of times in the last 10 year that I have been on DU.

Anger-->Depression-->Feelings of futility-->Anger.

Rinse.

Repeat.

At the moment, I am taking a quick break at work and checking in. I am fortunate that I am in an office by myself at the moment and may indulge my one sure-fire calmative, listening to music (my Eurovision mix if anyone cares).

I can even sing along at the top of my voice, which is VERY "therapeutic".

Many days after five minutes on DU and I am SERIOUSLY rooting for an asteroid to slam into this planet.

Occasionally it helps to find a few like-minded folk and talk it out.

I used to get involved. Busted my ass working on e-voting a few years back. After I got beat bloody a dozen times by folk ostensibly "on my side", I gave it up. Drifted back into activism a few years ago during the Occupy effort, and got that beat out of me again.

Now I just sit on the sidelines and write as the mood moves me.

Still get mad on occasion, but when I do I back off, go for a walk, and listen to music.

[L0oniX]

11. "SERIOUSLY rooting for an asteroid to slam into this planet" LMAO ...I hear that.

[Kelvin Mace]

13. We have this beautiful planet

with massive resources that could be used to cure disease, extend lifespans, explore the universe and all we use it for is to kill each other in increasingly creative fashions while flogging iPhones to half the population made by slave labor constituting the other half.

Yeah, at times it seems that humanity only hope for salvation is extinction.

[hfojvt]

33. but I am betting

that the slave laborers prefer slave labor over death.

Sometimes I wish that it would be easier to know the age of the person posting. I remember when I was in my twenties that I was very depressed and pretty much hated life - at least my life. I often pondered over this mystery "Do I have depression, or does my life just suck?"

I remember reading in Scott Nearing's autobiography "Education of a radical" I think it was called, he wrote where when he was in his twenties he had these public debates with Clarence Darrow where Darrow would argue that "life was not worth living" and Nearing would argue that it was.

So maybe age would not make a difference since I could be morose in my twenties and Darrow morose in his old age.

But really, to be so outraged about injustices and suffering that you would wish for everybody to be killed? Hard for me to see the logic of that.

[Kelvin Mace]

35. When you commit the number of attrocities humans have

with the frequency humans have, never learning from the past, what can humans possibly do to redeem themselves.

Yes, there are outstanding people here and there. Just as there have been great political/religious leaders who advocated non-violence and justice. I believe we have murdered every one of them so far.

Even when we "learn" from a monster and seek to clean up his crimes and punish his helpers, we do not learn.

We punished at LOT of Hitler's followers, executed a number of them as well (which goes to show we still hadn't learned an important lesson about life), EXCEPT for the ones we found useful, the ones like Von Braum who could help us build civilization destroying weapons. Look up Operation: Paperclip and see how many Nazis escaped punishment by virtue of being able to help us with our murderous work. Let's not forget all of the Japanese scientists who conducted horrific human experimentation who got a "Get out of jail free" card from the U.S. Government, so they would share what they learned and help us build our chemical and biological stockpile.

Even today men like Dick Cheney walk free and sleep well with no fear of retribution for his crimes.

I am honest about my disgust of humanity. Ashamed to be a part of it. I am sorry the logic of my view escapes you. If it makes you feel any better, while I ON OCCASION root for the asteroid, were the big red button given to me, I would not use it. Killing one or killing 7 billion is equally wrong in my eyes.

[Liberalynn]

82. I don't really believe in UFO's

but sometimes I wish there really were aliens so they could come and take me away from all this at least for awhile.

[mountain grammy]

22. Don't get too far on the sidelines.. I understand about getting burned out on working campaigns..

but stay somewhat involved and donate whenever possible and always, always vote and encourage others to do so.

Sometimes I think the asteroid can't get here soon enough, but most of the time I try to stay positive.

[Kelvin Mace]

37. I will always vote

it is my duty as a human.

But the choices presented get worse every year, and voting for the "lesser of two evils" is still a vote for evil in the end.

Enough!

I shall now retire and listen to silly music:

Awesome music:

The bastard children of The Partridge Family:

Music to dance to when no one is looking:

Five men playing a piano:

&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL5D9951DA7E0E0DD4

An incredibly brilliant and gifted German school teacher building a TARDIS:

&list=TLJuMMpIbunYFG4iJLblN_PTPrB67EujCh

All of these people have one thing in common: They are so happy doing what they are doing that it is infectious.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

59. I know exactly what you mean. nt

[nashville_brook]

10. i HAVE to get out in nature to clear that debris

a few years ago i took some steps toward quieting this anger. i really don't get angry anymore, and when i feel like there's no hope, i KNOW it's time to get out on the kayak, take a hike or go to the beach. period. it's like doctor's orders -- DO IT.

that's what works for me. the thing that helps you clear the debris might be going to see music. or playing with kids. or participating in a protest where you can speak directly to the ones who're causing the pain.

the other thing is harder, and it's just not in my nature to get "angry." more often i get frustrated and feel anxiety. i almost think it's healthier to feel anger.

[carolinayellowdog]

19. amen to kayaking as panacea! also connecting with local environmentalism

Everything in the OP applies to me, except that fear and despair rather than anger are my corner of the DU experience. The fact that supposed liberals and progressives can say the things daily said here, and behave the way they daily do, is a major mood-deflator. Makes me take a jaundiced view of my fellow Americans far more than anything seen in real life. Obama and gangs of online bullies are not normally things I'd associate mentally at all. Because of DU, they are irreparably associated.

Problems seem insoluble at the national and international levels, and anything overtly political doesn't feel like a mood-elevating experience at all. But dealing with specific local places and issues involving nature and wilderness provides a more manageable way o feel connected with something progressive.

[Hydra]

12. Laugh more L0onix!

I love your posts



And I'll give you a tip from my side- let go of the things you can't change and focus on the ones you can. This country is screwed- there's no will to stop the greed based insanity. Stay aware but take care of yourself...and please keep being loud if you can manage it!

[L0oniX]

42. Thank you ...that means a lot to me.

[Demeter]

14. Small steps, grasshopper

It's taken many people several generations to get us to this place....

If we are lucky, it won't be too much longer before they get what's coming to them.

What cannot continue, will not continue.

Just so long as you do, it is well.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

16. Volunteer

Seriously. There is no antidote to feeling frustrated than being on a campaign that wins. Even for school board.

Even if your district loses because it is blood red, if you win statewide, every vote counts.

And even if you lose, all those conversations you've had can change minds. Just leave the anger before you knock at the door.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[world wide wally]

17. I can certainly relate to and agree with your point. I think what maybe drives me crazier

than anything else is the mind boggling stupidity of far too many Americans who buy all the bullshit and actually vote for people who will lie to them just to do them harm. I spend far too much time stressing over that.

The thing that drives me most crazy about DU is when those little bugs get inside the screen at the end of some posts!...Yuck!

[L0oniX]

43. LMAO those little bugs

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. Thinking that politics and politicians are a vehicle of change is a fool's errand.

At best, politicians react to the will of the people some of the time and, even then, they will change their minds at the drop of a dime in their campaign contributions.

I advise a strong dose of cynicism when it comes to politics and an even stronger dose of humility when it comes to our individual efforts to actually change things.

[tblue]

26. All true. But I am so cynical

there are times even I can't stand being around me.

Seems the more I know, the more cynical I become. There are times I wish I was less aware of what goes on behind the dog & pony show our pols puts on.

[TBF]

20. If you want to give up that's fine -

then give up and stay silent. Encouraging others to give up, which is what you're really doing by writing this in an OP, is a disservice to our most vulnerable.

[L0oniX]

44. OFFS ...normally I reserve the ignore function for BOGrs but I'll make an exception in your case.

[TBF]

56. We can let the fascists take over -

but I'd just as soon not do that. You may not care to hear that but I think there are others who are with me on that. If you don't want to help just stay out of the way. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but that is what we're dealing with right now. Just read, reflect, and let others get this done. But please do not tell folks to just "give up". That is not fair.

[JNelson6563]

69. It's called "venting"

Or, if you prefer, it's a "rant".

Frankly it's far more encouraging that much of the crap I read from "activists" here at DU who promote nothing but anger and frustration.

At least the OP is identifying those particular things as problems with holding a realistic and healthy world view.

Maybe you should go find some awful news (either speculative or really happening, doesn't matter to certain DUers). You may find such a bit more encouraging.

Julie

[TBF]

71. There is venting - and then there is encouraging

others to give up in the middle of General Discussion. Someone who is honestly venting would be in a smaller forum looking for support.

I'm sorry if you're offended by folks who fight back, but truly most of us are not happy with the status quo. This has very little, if anything, to do with Barack Obama so the Bog does not have to get in a tizzy. The problem is the capitalism. Burying our heads in the sand will not make it go away.

And as for this particularly vicious statement --> "Maybe you should go find some awful news (either speculative or really happening, doesn't matter to certain DUers). You may find such a bit more encouraging." My response to that is personal insults will also not make capitalism go away, but I understand flinging poo is the last resort for folks who really have nothing else they can say.

[JNelson6563]

79. I disagree.

I'd rather see someone in here blow off steam once in a great while than the constant all-is-lost-don't-bother-trying bullshit we see every single day.

I'm not talking LBN type posts that report just the facts but I suspect you know that.

But to each their own.

For some reason I suspect that the OP will be of much more help to the cause come election time than you mighty warriors here on DU.

lolz That shit cracks me up every time.

Julie

[TBF]

80. Election time -

I think you might be surprised ... just because some of us would far prefer socialism as an economic system does not mean we sit idly by while folks starve.

I was a precinct leader in 2008, preferred to donate to Obama for America in 2010.

Some of us can walk (work with what we have) and chew gum (look towards the future and activate in that regard) at the same time.

[Phlem]

23. Bud you are not alone.

I feel your pain. I take days off of DU usually when I start getting that way. Save my energy for my little girl!

You are most certainly allowed to replace your anger with something enjoyable, productive and re-energizing. That's the only reason I'm still here.

I say go for it, take care of you, you might be in the place at some time to share your joy and that makes everybody happy.

Sorry for sounding corny but I've been dealing with early child hood PTSD and I'm still going, 50 in a few years. The guy was an adopted me through marriage and made it very clear from day 1 he did not like me, and oh yea, he was a stinking alcoholic.

I've made it my life to absorb as much as I can and I have learned a lot from the 8 yrs. Ive been on DU and I've also failed many occasion here. I'm human. But the most important part is I'm still here and will remain, whether my PTSD get's set off or not. Oh and the thing that sets of my PTSD, believe or not and I'm very guilty of it too, is stupid. From living with a below high school educated father and a mother who's childhood was living on an island, away from civilization. I grew up through the American school system only to be physically, verbally, and emotionally abused when I got home from school.

Sorry for the ramble, it all ended, I stopped the "physical" abuse cause I was a bad ass mutha fuckin 16 year old, but the abuse never stopped, and the PTSD has never gone away.

You got's ta get away from it all and how long is up to you my friend.

Peace


-p

[DeSwiss]

24. K&R

- You have to work at it......

[ellenrr]

25. I haven't been at DU long enough to comment on that part of the OP, but as far as in general

I absolutely know where you're coming from.
and I suspect every caring person goes back on forth on that - I care too much, back off, come back.
we all have to find a balance.
for me nature and kundalini yoga work - otherwise I would be crazy. seriously. with these, I'm between sorta ok and sorta crazy.

what worries me is that I think the world keeps getting worse, the contradictions seem to be more and more overt, climate change has no chance of being stopped, only MAYBE slowed...

and I see more and more people say, it's too hard, I can't deal with it. I'm not judging them, I have enough to do to decide what I should do.

but if more and more people conclude that it is too hard, then it will continue to get worse. I also sometimes wonder if it is worthwhile, but for me, I'm happier when I'm doing something political, even if I'm not sure it is going to make a difference.

but I have a friend, a life-long radical/activist. He no longer goes to any political events, hasn't the heart for it. sigh....

[Kelvin Mace]

38. Sometimes I rage about the unfairness of it all.

Why am I the one up at four in the morning crying about young men and women dying and maimed for Imperial America? People I don't even know? Why can't I be like all of the conservatives, completely certain that "God" will make it all right in the end.

[Hydra]

48. Cuz you have a soul?

It's quite a burden sometimes

[Kelvin Mace]

54. Thank you.

Very kind of you.

[ellenrr]

64. I think it is better for yr soul that you feel this way, if I were religious

I would fear for the soul of the ones that feel nothing.

[Kelvin Mace]

78. The irony

is that the "religious" types I run into are VERY concerned about people's souls, yet totally unconcerned about things that bother me. I was once in a conversation with a Catholic priest who defended "torturing terrorists" since that is the only way you could find out the truth.

I acidly pointed out that it hadn't seemed to work with Jesus, but he tried to claim the issues were not comparable.

I do not talk to this person any more.

[stupidicus]

27. Time heals all wounds and wounds all heels

eventually.

just make sure ya ain't the latter and you'll be okay

[alcibiades_mystery]

28. Shorter LOoniX: "I'm gonna fuckin' stop being so fuckin' angry about all the fuckin' assholes."

Well on your way.

[L0oniX]

41. Message not hidden by jury decision.

[adirondacker]

46. .

[alcibiades_mystery]

53. Your self-restraint is admirable

If rare.

[rhett o rick]

29. First of all ignore those here that are here to disrupt. I know it's not easy.

Tempting to try to set the bullies straight but you only give them what they want, attention/power.

Second, dont try to work on all issues. It's too overwhelming. DU is an excellent source of information if you dodge the disruptors. Help progressives get elected.

It's easy to get discouraged, but we are making progress.

[Lil Missy]

30. Just keep in mind that DU doesn't represent real life. n/t

[KoKo]

39. It's quite REAL LIFE....The Battles over Ideology of where America/USA Goes

Forward and the kind of life we want for ourselves, our Seniors and the Youth...and all "Inbetween."

This is a crucial point in American History. A "Pivot Point"....and it comes along every so once in awhile where "The People" need to do a CORRECTION!

[TBF]

55. Exactly my point - if we all give up where does that leave us?

With fascists in charge, that's where.

[ellenrr]

66. ++

[NC_Nurse]

31. I am right there with you. I have this argument with myself all the time...

let it go and ignore the noise machine? I keep coming back, I guess because I feel like SOMEBODY has to fight the power. Still, I don't do as much or have the enthusiasm that I used to....probably something to do with being in NC these days. The wind is gone from my sails and I feel the evil assholes have won.

Sigh...

[BlueJazz]

32. I take Lexapro. I believe that's what you might want. ????

I take very small doses but it has let me observe all the nuts and nasties without taking the entire world onto my shoulder.

I even experiment with it. I take too much/I would yawn if the world were going to end.
I take too little/a small part of me wants to put my hands around certain republican's throats. ...sorta'

[KoKo]

34. Don't Give Up...Hang in There...but take a break to clear it out...

Last edited Sat Sep 28, 2013, 07:45 PM - Edit history (2)

I checked and you joined in '06 and so you don't know all we here did in the days since 2001 when many of us signed up...horrified over Supremes selecting Bush as President.

I'll make it short. Without the Activists who connected on "Daily Kos" (yeah I know) and here on "Democratic Underground" who shared info and parsed everything (much of what wouldn't be allowed on "Kos" or "DU" these days because would be considered "CT" and banned.) But in THOSE DAYS it was "FREE FORM"....because we we in "shell shock" as to how an Election Could be Stolen! Many of us were of the folks who remembered the Assassinations in the late 60's early 70's and some had been Activists and others had just been to young to be involved but, remembered Vietnam through relatives or older Siblings dying or coming back in bad shape from that War that "we were young" worked hard to stop.

Anyway...I don't want to get into all of this and I don't know your age except when you joined here.

The Times Now are "shades of the late 60's through Mid-70's" when folks were really upset at what was going on and tried to do something about it. They made CHANGES that lasted until late Reagon and his henchmen started to dismantle and then it began....the dismantling of Consumer Protection, Anti-War killing civilians and killing our own soldiers in Vietnam started to fade from memory a bit and it was seized on by the same GROUPS we have to day who HUNGER FOR WAR...WAR...MORE WAR...and for Getting RID OF GOVERNMENT for the PEOPLE to replace it with some kind of Libertarian "Pull yourself up by your Bootstraps" mentality.

To make it short: The work that was done by Activists on the New Web and New Blogs that followed has been Incredible. We Built a NETWORK of INFORMATION that can be REFERENCED...(WIKI AND OTHER LINKS) Many of us Lefties who were here on DU are like the ELDERS who try to pass on what we found in researching and interaction and being involved in politics through years or since 2000 Selection and look how it's paying off!

We Stopped an Invasion of Syria, (because of the Anti-American Invasion Tactics Activism) which has been ongoing since Bush Admin lied us into Invading Iraq....We stopped Larry Summers from replacing Ben Bernanke....there are other "small steps" we've done to create a foundation to move forward. Think of Occupy Wall Street framing the 1% vs. the 99% that caused a revolution in Mainstream Media Reporting.
No longer was it the Right Wing Meme of "Class Warfare" but about how wages had gone down for Decades for the 99% ....but, that the 1%, even after the Melt Down Crash by Wall Street Criminals, managed to come BACK and Make even More...as the 99% Suffered under crushing "Austerity Programs" installed by the Wall Street Crowd where both Repugs and Dems helped foster.

Don't give up...but take that break. There's so much work to be done...but, those who have the spirit and the knowledge and know the facts behind this RW Garbage and those who promote it....will "TRUTH OUT"....but, it will take much work and effort and lots of "backsteps" before we can make the change. But, it's been done before and can be done again.

Sorry...I sound like I'm lecturing...under pressure to get this post out...but, I just wanted to ask you to NOT give up HOPE.. But, you have to do what feels better for you. No one should get sick of heart and cause themselves problems over Politics and Websites. Taking a break is cleansing the mind..and hopefully we will all be here to grouse and give information and links for TRUTH TELLING RECORD...when you get back

Life is too short to live it in misery...so if you just can't deal...then it's what you have to do.

[Generic Other]

36. LOoniX

Knowing you are one of those who always steps forward to encourage me when I am losing it, I feel like I need to make sure you know that. Your voice does matter. And you do make it possible for others to keep fighting.

That anger is righteous and all we have. Let us aim it like a burning lazer at the evils of the world. If we all do it at the same time, the conflagration of assholes will light up the night sky.

[L0oniX]

51. Yo

[damnedifIknow]

40. Maybe a bumper sticker will help

[jsr]

49. No kidding.

[Corruption Inc]

50. Great rant!

A lot of people feel the exact same way and are getting on with their lives outside of our era of corruption, aka "post reality politics". You're right, there's no point in being bothered by endless propaganda lies and corrupt politicos who spend their lives repeating them. It's what happened in the former USSR, 70% of their entire economy was "black market" before the country went under and the people finally said enough. People aren't as foolish as TV land would lead us to believe, about 70 to 80% of us can easily tell the difference between truth and lies.

So people get on with their lives, we move outside of the corporate sphere, stop "investing" in corrupt products, stop buying slave labor products, stop voting for a corrupt person because they're supposedly the lesser of 2 evils. We buy organic and local foods when possible, stop watching perma-propaganda on TV, support solar and other clean energies, stop trusting corrupt cops and every other type of government official who pretends to have the public's interest in mind.

Being riled up is fine though, just don't let it effect your blood pressure, heart rate or mental state. The eternal struggle of good vs. evil is alive and well in today's era of corruption, there are plenty of reasons to get riled up.

[Oakenshield]

52. Not sure of your age but...

Last edited Sun Sep 29, 2013, 01:46 AM - Edit history (1)

If you've got enough gas left in the tank, maybe it's time to find a democratic country that actually deserves you. I'm pretty young here myself, I'm just 22. And with that youth comes ignorance, but I've got enough sense to recognize how this country just keeps on deteriorating. It'll take generations for this colossal mess to be cleaned up. If it ever does.

It goes back to that futility you were talking about. I really can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But then I look at Iceland, a country that rejected this austerity bullshit and you know what I do see a future there. When it gets right down to it, I encourage everyone to find a place where they feel like they really belong. From everything I've read and experienced we only get one chance at this life of ours. Seems a pity to waste it fighting a battle that we likely won't win in our lifetime.

And with the way our government and its representatives protect big money and cut away at the social safety net, this definitely isn't a country you'd want to grow old in. Still, not everyone has the means to cut their ties and emigrate. All we can really do in the end is find a formula that keeps us going. If tuning out the bullshit keeps you happier, I encourage you to do so. I hope you'll continue to chime in every now and again and let us know how you're getting on though. I've always enjoyed your posts.

Kindest Regards, Oakenshield.

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. Trust me my friend, I get it

Use the ignore function as far as DU is concerned. Realize we are at a pivot pont, they want us to sit down, and that goes for the power elites INDEPENDENT OF PARTY.

Take a deep breath and you know what? Vote your conscience. We will get there someday. Though I doubt in my lifetime.

[L0oniX]

61. I find I have a background level of anger that can rise or fall with what I read on DU.

That background can and does affect my relationships. It can and sometimes does lead to a burst of anger over a little thing ...which is not something I want in my life. I have tried various techniques but they have made little difference. I'm going to try avoiding taking in anything that gets me upset like negative news ...all the bad things that happen everyday. Maybe living in an eggshell has its rewards. I don't know. I've always look down on that. I have many good things in my life ...the fastest sailboat in Tampabay ...the best laughter invoking parrots you'd ever want ...a great church (after many years of searching) ...my home is paid for (thanks to the real God). Although my wife is disabled she remains to be a treasure that I love. I don't need to volunteer to have anything in my life that affects or accumulates a background of anger. I will say it is good to know some people on DU ...and you are one of them. I'm not leaving DU but I am going to be abusing the DU ignore and trash word features a lot from now on.

Cheers

[MineralMan]

58. DU is a cocktail party, followed by a buffet dinner.

It isn't essential to anything, nor does it set the course of things. It's a place where people engage in conversations, mainly about politics and such subjects. Like a cocktail party, things get looser as time goes on. The buffet is always late to be ready, so more cocktails are consumed and people sometimes behave in ways that are somewhat antisocial.

Eventually, the buffet is open, people load their plates with whatever items they prefer and conversation slows while they eat. Time passes and the effects of the alcohol diminish, and conversations become more reasonable and polite.

DU is what DU is. Personally, I eschew the alcohol and get a tall tonic on the rocks and wander around the room, listening to people and their conversations. If someone has consumed too many scotch and sodas and is getting abusive, I just move on. If someone's being a total asshole, I just move on. Otherwise, I add my voice to the conversation, and then move on to another conversation. The buffet will be open soon, and I think I saw roasted quail in one of the covered serving dishes.

I'm optimistic.

[progressoid]

60. It's like...

Some of this...



And...



A little of this...



Quite a bit of this...







A daily dose of this...






But, you also get this...

[L0oniX]

62. LMAO ...woke up the wife over this.

[progressoid]

63. My pleasre.

It's a beautiful day here today. I'm forcing myself off the computer and...sigh...go out and clean the garage.

[OneGrassRoot]

70. THAT is brilliant!

Thank you for that, progressoid!!!

And to you, LOonix. I hear you. I really hear you.

[ellenrr]

65. another option is - in my experience anyway - taking action helps manage anger and despair

and I am not in anyway disregarding or degrading yr feelings. they are certainly valid.
But an option to counter despair that works for some people is to get active.
Some people find an org that is working to prevent foreclosure.
or to help people maintain their right to vote.
or to support prisoners.

When I am in despair, I always remember something I read some 30 years ago by Anita Hoffman (wife of Abbie Hoffman). She talked about how when she was inactive is when she fell into depression.

Everyone has to find their own way to cope, but this is one suggestion...

[ellenrr]

67. "Let your existence be a friction to the machine"

I don't know who said, (chris hedges?), but it inspires me.

even if I don't change the world, I will still be against the crazies and on the side of good.
maybe that's all I can do.

[ellenrr]

72. Some good words- from Arundhati Roy

“Perhaps it’s true that things can change in a day. That a few dozen hours can affect the outcome of whole lifetimes. And that when they do, those few dozen hours, like the salvaged remains of a burned house—the charred clock, the singed photograph, the scorched furniture—must be resurrected from the ruins and examined. Preserved. Accounted for. Little events, ordinary things, smashed and reconstituted. Imbued with new meaning. Suddenly they become the bleached bones of a story.”

[grantcart]

73. DU has an app for that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1267

[fadedrose]

74. Sweetie

I don't blame you, but things will get worse before they get better.

One thing that would help me depends on your using paragraphs and punctuation. I read your op, and I can see where and why you are frustrated, but it was difficult to read for me. Old people need either bigger print, shorter paragraphs, and lots of commas and periods.

But don't change the thought of what you said. I rec'd it even tho it was hard to concentrate on the thoughts all jammed up together.

(I am 75, younger folks won't have trouble)

Hoping you are not mad at me.....

[L0oniX]

76. Well I am about to turn 62 ...nope not mad ...or angry.

[Jamastiene]

77. More and more, I feel like pessimists like me are, sadly, correct.

Our votes do not really matter. It's a big show the politicians put on to make us think our vote will make a difference. In reality, no matter who we vote for, would not be on the ticket in the first place if big money did not approve of them already, if they were not puppets of the moneyed interests of corporations.

Expecting much change at all is futile. As long as we still have so many average American citizens believe in the dog and pony show of elections and believe in differences between the parties when it comes to corporate and theocratic control of our government, the "show" will go on.

The only thing we can hope for is that TPTB finally decide to let us have a liberal shift in policy for a few years at some point in the future, because unless they do decide to give us a couple years of relief to shut us up for a while, it ain't happening. Big money decides our fate when it comes to politics, not our votes.

Just commit this to memory and you will always understand how our current government thinks:
There is ALWAYS enough money for bombs. There may not be money for anything else, but there will never been any doubts or questions or hesitation when it comes to FINDING the money for bombs. Everything else they pretend to legislate is just for show. It's all about the bombs.

[steve2470]

83. taking breaks is good, do what you can, and take care of yourself...my nugget for you nt