life and politics -- i am doing my best

[Sirveri]

A great post on some of the feelings some of us might be having to people we know who are voting for Bush this year.

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http://www.livejournal.com/users/rm/253576.html

Sometimes, in the fact of the current election, it is hard for me to think, or to function. The entire situation makes me nearly apoplectic, on a nearly constant basis.

I do not, for the record, think Bush is Satan, which is of course what those who are planning to vote for Kerry are generally accused of. Nor do I think Kerry is the answer to all of our woes, and I think I've talked about that enough to not go into it here.

What I'm realizing is some people I know are going to vote for Bush. And when it's people on my friends list who live far away who I don't really know and that I've had intelligent conversations with, I feel okay about that, and I feel okay with feeling okay about that.

What I'm realizing though is that when it's people I know face to face, I feel betrayed and threatened on a nearly illogically visceral level.

[Kanary]

1. Some of us have circumstances that are severe enough, it isn't an issue

"What I'm realizing though is that when it's people I know face to face, I feel betrayed and threatened on a nearly
illogically visceral level."

That betrayal is VERY REAL for those of us who are dependent on any form of social services, because the people voting for the RW are very directly responsible for the cuts that are threatening my life. In the light of that, there's no way I can be reasonably expected to be all smiley toward them.

I'm sure the same can be said of those who are anti-war, and are in fear of their children being drafted into this hideous war.

There are some conflicts of values that just can't be swept under the proverbial rug.

Kanary

[sandnsea]

2. You don't know enough

I don't see how anybody can know what this Administration has done to every single aspect of our country and vote for him or be okay with anybody who is. Just yesterday he proposed cutting $1 billion from Section 8 housing, after having cut $2 billion since he took office. He wants to end the rule that requires 75% of the vouchers to go to low income families, meaning this money will go to middle income people because they have better credit and landlords will choose to rent to them over the low-income families. It'll just be a subsidy to wealthy landlords. He's done things like this to every single program we have. Every single one. Four more years of this and we truly won't recognize this country and I just don't see how anybody can be okay with someone who doesn't see it.

[Sirveri]

3. same here

which is why I posted this message. I found it to be a pretty good one. It's not mine though, check it out on the site.

[sandnsea]

5. Sorry

I didn't read it closely enough. Probably need to get some sleep.

[rucky]

4. America's true colors are coming out

we are split more than I ever imagined. I always knew there was a fundamental difference under the surface but I can't capitulate anymore. it's become uncivilized.

[Sirveri]

6. that's another thing.

It shows the potential civil war that is ready to be waged that is hiding below the fabric of society. If this continues the country will tear itself apart.

[Kanary]

7. I think it already has.

It's just a bit more insidious than it was during Vietnam.

Kanary

[Sirveri]

8. bump

for the new night crowd

[union_maid]

9. Wow! This is what I was feeling when I found your post

In fact I was pondering starting a thread about it. I don't really know anyone personally and well who's voting for Bush but other than that, I'm feeling the same. I'm not young. I've lived to see Spiro Agnew spew his venom, Nixon...well, we all know about that. I've seen our government declare war on our own youth and send thousands upon thousands to die. I've seen George Wallace considered to be a mainstream politician. I've seen Reagan make a laughingstock of social and economic justice while supporting death squads in Central American and apartheid in South Africa. The people blacklisted under McCarthyism were just coming back out into the light of day when I came of age. All that and still, I've never felt quite like this about an administration. I think about it all day, and I dream about it at night.

Just when I came across this thread I was wondering if I'm allowing myself to be eaten up with hatred. I'm not alone. My mother is 83 and says she's never seen a president this bad. The members of my immediate family who are my age share my obsession, but other people that I know with similar points of view don't think about it all the time like this. While DU is one huge support group, I'd actually like to be able to manage my feelings better.