General Discussion

KansDem

(28,498 posts)

52. I'd like to add to the wise and thoughtful comments on this thread...

Mon Jan 20, 2014, 09:31 AM

Jan 2014

I turn 61 in a week. Never before have I seen the kind of incivility demonstrated on the public stage. Just a few observations:

--False "prophets": A national radio personality calls out a woman on his show by calling her a "slut" and suggests she post her sex videos for all to see. And in turn this national radio personality has a bust dedicated to him on display in the Missouri state capital;

--Police murder citizens: Police break into an aging vet's apartment, alerted by a false alarm for medical help, and kill him; Police kill a 13-year-old with a toy gun; Police beat to death a mentally-ill young man;

--Private citizens murder fellow citizens and walk free (SYG);

--Attacks on non-violent, peaceful protesters: Non-violent protesters corralled and pepper sprayed; peaceful university students pepper-sprayed like insects;

--The call for mandatory drug tests for food-stamp recipients and vaginal probes for women seeking abortions;

--Voter suppression and fraudulent voting machines;

Just a few off the top of my head. But these examples demonstrate that civility has been eroding for some time now, and civility is required in a government "of, for, and by" the people.

Political discourse has become nothing more than insane shouting matches marred with lies and "talking points."

Democracy is in its death throes...

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Have things gotten really worse, or have I just become an Old Fart? [View all] Armstead Jan 2014 OP

Discussion would be improved by defining the words; "things" and "it". lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #1

The thing is it is so big and deep Armstead Jan 2014 #36

Here - let me give you some good news. TampaAnimusVortex Jan 2014 #138

That life expectancy increase is entirely due to improved child mortality. Enthusiast Jan 2014 #160

+1 dreamnightwind Jan 2014 #172

Most of it is - but not all of it... TampaAnimusVortex Jan 2014 #205

People are scared yeoman6987 Jan 2014 #74

The answer to your specific concern is to restore tax rates on wealthy on point Jan 2014 #107

Here you go. Blanks Jan 2014 #149

Go back in time and stop GWB. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2014 #169

If we get a time machine, I can do far better than offing that moron. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #196

Stop worrying about the debt. Egnever Jan 2014 #191

You are just an old fart. KentuckyWoman Jan 2014 #2

I do all that...I dont really tell kids to get off my lawn Armstead Jan 2014 #38

Yep, I think you hit the common core through everything, by saying RKP5637 Jan 2014 #128

Funny thing about "Idiocracy": Brigid Jan 2014 #155

It really is. I've never made it all the way watching it in entirety. I find RKP5637 Jan 2014 #164

You know what I say in Costco: Manifestor_of_Light Jan 2014 #165

Yep! Sometimes fiction gets way too close to reality! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2014 #167

"Hold the door, let someone out in traffic, notice a neighbor in trouble" BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #153

It's also global Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2014 #3

you're an old fart AND things have gotten worse Skittles Jan 2014 #4

Yes, my mother used to say that...And I find myself thinking it too Armstead Jan 2014 #39

And we who are Female Old Farts, are even more distressed. Watching the freedom we SharonAnn Jan 2014 #94

Not to mention the pushback against voting rights.... Armstead Jan 2014 #118

agreed Skittles Jan 2014 #150

"I'm so glad I'm not young" awoke_in_2003 Jan 2014 #131

Everything is broken... polichick Jan 2014 #5

No things really have got worse. Initech Jan 2014 #6

Yes, even Fux has gotten worse.... Armstead Jan 2014 #40

maybe it is the internet and cable TV hfojvt Jan 2014 #7

as my 90 year old aunt said yesterday BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #19

I remember in the 60s and 70s also had senses of breakdown Armstead Jan 2014 #41

I think we had hope, then. Optimism of youth, but KoKo Jan 2014 #203

Part of it is the Conservatives gave up trying to win over anyone and they're in a panic. Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #8

Or they don't feel they need to win anyone over because... Armstead Jan 2014 #42

CORRECT. The FR doesn't need to compete: There is no opposition. Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #92

Quite the contrary. They see that their crap isn't working on a new generation.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #116

Yet it doesn't matter dreamnightwind Jan 2014 #171

Ike wanted a 100% tax over a certain point effectively capping salaries.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #178

Yes dreamnightwind Jan 2014 #179

It's like I predicted... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #188

People are so disgusted by it all that they aren't even talking about it much. LuvNewcastle Jan 2014 #9

So true. Unfortunately, sociopaths are great at sniffing out vulnerability... polichick Jan 2014 #103

.... 840high Jan 2014 #190

I can point you to only one confirmation. chknltl Jan 2014 #10

I always have agreed with Thom's take on everything Armstead Jan 2014 #44

The US-Western middle-class has always been protected. delrem Jan 2014 #11

You said what I just tried to say below, woo me with science Jan 2014 #13

Oh no, you said it below very clearly! delrem Jan 2014 #14

Richard Wolff sums that up as "capitalism is now ready to leave these shores" BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #20

I can only hope so! delrem Jan 2014 #27

could you give me the urls? delrem Jan 2014 #28

November and December links BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #31

Thank you! delrem Jan 2014 #100

+1 for Richard Wollf, worth the time to watch - eom dreamnightwind Jan 2014 #175

Thanks! Change has come Jan 2014 #192

If only we were smart enough to replacecthe void it leaves behind Armstead Jan 2014 #47

And Americans everywhere are *convinced* that everyone will say "Enough!" when it is their Romulox Jan 2014 #50

Exactly abelenkpe Jan 2014 #84

You've heard this before, I'm sure. godevil10 Jan 2014 #97

Thanks for the insider report. truedelphi Jan 2014 #168

You have it nailed. Enthusiast Jan 2014 #162

Yes, it really is worse. woo me with science Jan 2014 #12

and it's not just the US & UK BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #18

Very well stated. CanonRay Jan 2014 #45

I've seen this coming for decades Armstead Jan 2014 #48

"it almost seems to be transcending the usual political stuff" BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #15

Everything is worse, much worse. You have a decade on me, so I'm not sure about the old fart, part. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #16

I think of the idiocy of the whole minimum wage battle right now Armstead Jan 2014 #55

So apparently this thread wasn't depressing enough. I just watched Rollerball and Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #194

Might as well watch the movie Network and get really depressed Armstead Jan 2014 #198

Paddy Chayefsky was exactly where I went while listening to Jewison, which then Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #209

to me the line was Reagan Skittles Jan 2014 #151

He pulled the trigger, but the preparations were underway for a long time. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #193

The whole real story about politics polynomial Jan 2014 #17

I think rational democrats and rational republicans have a common enemy indie9197 Jan 2014 #21

Some things are better and should give us hope, like the internet... Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #22

What's wrong now? RobertEarl Jan 2014 #23

Those too Armstead Jan 2014 #49

It's because we've reached... zentrum Jan 2014 #24

Both. And you are going to get older, and "things" are going to get more upleasant. jtuck004 Jan 2014 #25

Thanks. i feel much better now Armstead Jan 2014 #51

ROFL jtuck004 Jan 2014 #142

It is clearly worse and will get much worser soon. Kablooie Jan 2014 #26

Retire? Who the hell can afford to retire these days? Armstead Jan 2014 #56

much much worser stuntcat Jan 2014 #83

your description is reminiscent of a Harry Harrison style distopia Dragonfli Jan 2014 #114

I cannot answer your question, because I may be experiencing the same thing. Jamastiene Jan 2014 #29

They're only resistant to change that benefits the people. LuvNewcastle Jan 2014 #30

The contradiction between what peop need/want and what we get is discouraging Armstead Jan 2014 #58

We're thinking with the same brain, Armstead. raven mad Jan 2014 #32

Yuppers...It's been a chip,chipping away Armstead Jan 2014 #59

Good post. Kermitt Gribble Jan 2014 #180

I'm 55, disabled, but I believe my best years are ahead of me. Kaleva Jan 2014 #33

That's a good attitude....But it's too bad the big picture can't also provide consolation Armstead Jan 2014 #60

I think its worse on the economic level Notafraidtoo Jan 2014 #34

Both. I'm a slightly older fart but remember... TreasonousBastard Jan 2014 #35

That's what's a shame...We aren't leaving the young with much to hope for Armstead Jan 2014 #63

Folks who think it was much better in the 70's and 80's are straight, white Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #37

Nope not saying that. Armstead Jan 2014 #64

Rights are being extended to more excluded people... malthaussen Jan 2014 #108

Wish I could recommend your post: me b zola Jan 2014 #115

you're missing the point Skittles Jan 2014 #195

We are old farts OldHippieChick Jan 2014 #43

In other words maybe we also need more young farts to get off their asses? Armstead Jan 2014 #65

More bluntly put, but OldHippieChick Jan 2014 #67

Born during Nixon, Raised during Regan... tridim Jan 2014 #46

Things are really better now than the 80's? Armstead Jan 2014 #66

Yes, the 80's SUCKED. tridim Jan 2014 #69

80's sucked, but the same things that sucked then suck much worse now Armstead Jan 2014 #73

Reagan certainly sucks less tridim Jan 2014 #78

Bad Corporations have become infionetly larger and more powerful, for one Armstead Jan 2014 #80

Was late-80's darling, Enron held less accountable? tridim Jan 2014 #88

Not enough are fighting it....Most are accepting it as "the way things are" Armstead Jan 2014 #96

The '80s are Lib/Dem Achilles' heel. reformist2 Jan 2014 #120

Do you feel the same way about Reagan bashing? tridim Jan 2014 #123

WTF Skittles Jan 2014 #154

Since Democrats were in control of the House for every single second of the 1980's, I kelly1mm Jan 2014 #166

I'd like to add to the wise and thoughtful comments on this thread... KansDem Jan 2014 #52

good examples marions ghost Jan 2014 #200

it's worse, but.... Locrian Jan 2014 #53

I'm an "older fart" fredamae Jan 2014 #54

I agree -- but the public keeps electing those bastids. Armstead Jan 2014 #68

Yes, we do... fredamae Jan 2014 #75

I've come to the conclusion that CrispyQ Jan 2014 #57

You are an old fart FarCenter Jan 2014 #61

I am but.... Armstead Jan 2014 #70

Richest the planet's ever been... Octafish Jan 2014 #62

There's austerity and there's austerity Armstead Jan 2014 #71

Great idea, yours. Unfortunately, the law says they can't live with less. Octafish Jan 2014 #85

It's always BAD before it gets better. jeff47 Jan 2014 #72

I keep hoping that, but I don't see it happening Armstead Jan 2014 #77

And that is our "instant gratification" problem. jeff47 Jan 2014 #86

Again, I hope your optimnism bears fruit Armstead Jan 2014 #101

The Boomers did NOT "bring about Reaganomics" marions ghost Jan 2014 #201

You are arguing that boomers blindly followed the WWII generation jeff47 Jan 2014 #202

Not a question of "blindly followed" marions ghost Jan 2014 #208

The people you knew are not "most people". jeff47 Jan 2014 #210

Your graphic proves my point marions ghost Jan 2014 #213

My graphic that started with the 1994 election proves what happened in the 1980s. jeff47 Jan 2014 #214

YES! n/t librechik Jan 2014 #76

Yes to I'm an old fart, or the world has gotten worse...or both? Armstead Jan 2014 #79

I've been waiting for somebody to set me up like that, A-- librechik Jan 2014 #82

I think rwork Jan 2014 #104

Things have gotten much worse. But today will look like *HEAVENLY FAIRYLAND* when compared w/ 2050. stuntcat Jan 2014 #81

WORSE. People are awaking to the fact of the 1%, of their insatiable greed and destructiveness. WinkyDink Jan 2014 #87

Always been bad ...it's just changing to another bigger bad. L0oniX Jan 2014 #89

"Things" are REALLY BAD and "Things" will continue to get MUCH WORSE. democratisphere Jan 2014 #90

I'll send your dog to the pound, Armstead Jan 2014 #95

Yes. Ikonoklast Jan 2014 #91

I think we crossed several thresholds during the BFEE years Rex Jan 2014 #93

When the oligarchs got their own TV network (Fox) things got worse quickly. OregonBlue Jan 2014 #98

They don't own just FOX. bvar22 Jan 2014 #110

Sad but succinct summation Armstead Jan 2014 #126

I dont know you tell me...link Drew Richards Jan 2014 #99

Thanks for the chuckle Armstead Jan 2014 #102

Been there...my emotions are like yours and its coming in waves with more frequency...but Drew Richards Jan 2014 #105

Oh and to answer your other question...yes you're an old fart. Now get of my lawn! Drew Richards Jan 2014 #112

Income inequality is biggest global risk - TBF Jan 2014 #106

...and the World Economnic Forum is part of the club that created the mess Armstead Jan 2014 #124

DING DONG BelgianMadCow Jan 2014 #130

The fact that they admit it is very telling - TBF Jan 2014 #134

Two things give me some hope: The Internet, and that younger generations are not boomers... Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #109

You know different Boomers from I... malthaussen Jan 2014 #113

Statistically the class difference IS a generational one... Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #135

Rich families. malthaussen Jan 2014 #144

I think his point was that the boomers were and always have been brasen boorish class........ nolabels Jan 2014 #197

Well I woukldn't paint all Boomers with that broad a brush. But we certainly.... Armstead Jan 2014 #121

"We didn't follow through on the better half of our natures." malthaussen Jan 2014 #146

I stand by my point...But I don't think its generational. Just a....... Armstead Jan 2014 #199

Increasing population, increasing access of individuals to increasingly destructive technology ... MH1 Jan 2014 #111

Ah, the good old days. Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #117

You are correct in one way -- Armstead Jan 2014 #119

Although a Democrat won the last two Presidential elections Samantha Jan 2014 #122

That's a big partr of my current frustration Armstead Jan 2014 #125

Really? You think the Syria crisis would have been resolved peacefully under a Republican pres? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #127

I was discussing domestic issues mainly but I did not make that clear Samantha Jan 2014 #132

Things have gotten far worst than they used to nadinbrzezinski Jan 2014 #129

About 35 years ago, corporations put us in a pot Arugula Latte Jan 2014 #133

No it isn't just you. THIS is perfectly stated sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #136

I'm kind of feeling that way about Chris Christie Armstead Jan 2014 #181

Yes, me too. In the past I would have been so excited to see the exposure of a right wing sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #185

You have a "freeper friend", that's depressing Corruption Inc Jan 2014 #137

I have asked myself the same thing recently arely staircase Jan 2014 #139

Move to Colorado or Washington the State. nm rhett o rick Jan 2014 #140

Stay high all the tiume you mean? Armstead Jan 2014 #182

Turn off the TV Egnever Jan 2014 #141

But the roses smell like farts Armstead Jan 2014 #183

We have no one on our side (working/middle class people) Doctor_J Jan 2014 #143

Sadly, that sums it up. bvar22 Jan 2014 #145

I really thought it was happening Doctor_J Jan 2014 #148

Moving to a civilized country sounds good. bvar22 Jan 2014 #163

It is really difficult to feel "hope" when THIS is going on. bvar22 Jan 2014 #147

Hey, another one popped up today Doctor_J Jan 2014 #187

America doesn't do stagnation well BeyondGeography Jan 2014 #152

It wouldn't be so bad if we decline to a second tier country Armstead Jan 2014 #184

I've been paying attention a lot longer and while some things have improved Warpy Jan 2014 #156

Armstead, we are the same age. Enthusiast Jan 2014 #157

yep. and the youn ger generation doesn't seem to have the moxie to change it. Armstead Jan 2014 #186

Perhaps Ted Kennedy put it most poignantly. Brigid Jan 2014 #158

Like Hillary "got health care done" in 1992? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #161

I think we are at or approaching a tipping point. The_Commonist Jan 2014 #159

I work with a lot of Millennials and I like them too Skittles Jan 2014 #170

That, is our hope. Without that, we are basically doomed. The current RKP5637 Jan 2014 #204

I hope so, but the Millenials have NEVER TURNED ON A RADIO WITHOUT HEARING LIES AND HATE Doctor_J Jan 2014 #207

I don't think they buy propaganda like the older folks. Arugula Latte Jan 2014 #212

My answer in two sentences. Hotler Jan 2014 #173

I suggest to supply with extra water and cans LukeFL Jan 2014 #174

"Things" have gotten worse because there many more "old farts." nt kelliekat44 Jan 2014 #176

Worse... WillyT Jan 2014 #177

DAMN, I wish so many people didn't agree with my OP Armstead Jan 2014 #189

Since the 1990s it has felt as if the mean and dumb are taking over the country Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2014 #206

Old fart(no offense). Things aren't ALL getting worse. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #211

Economically things are much worse. We no longer live in a democracy. We live in an plutocracy. liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #215