Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but put a fork in it. This Republic is done.

[Glamrock]

I'm not generally a pessimist, but I'm not one that can't see reality staring me in the face either. And the fact is...and perhaps I'm shortsighted in this area, I don't see us winning back the country we grew up in.

Say what you will about what the Democratic Party is trying to do with voting rights. It's beyond commendable. I'm thankful that one of our two parties is trying to live by the intent of the constitution. But unfortunately, it ain't enough. It just isn't. We all know this. It's a band-aid on a knife wound. Do Democratic voters outnumber Republicans? Of course. Do Democratic voters outnumber Republican voters in mid term and off year elections? Generally speaking, not so much. Sure, the last few years have been surprising and to our benefit. Without a doubt. But is that sustainable? Especially as the Latino population is leaving the Democratic party in droves? (There is now 1 point of separation between us and the Republican party with Latino voters.)

The failure of the Democratic Party, and dare i say our country, is the failure of our party to deal with the constant barrage of propaganda. Fox News, AM Radio, Internet sites like Brietbart, podcasts like Joe Rogan. It's constant. It's a virus on the body politic. And the longer it's able to grow, the closer we become to an authoritarian state.

There are far too many in this country that are easily programmable meat suits. No ability to think critically. All you have to do is repeat something that explains their hardships while blaming the other (usually brown, or gay, transgender, scientist, etc.), and they will vote against themselves time and time and fucking time again. We.ve all seen it. It is a truth of our society. It's always been a truth of our society. Nothing has changed in that regard. But we've never dealt with the level of propaganda that we experience now. You can preach to me about Father Coughlin, but his followers were not ingesting bleach, horse de-wormer, or drinking their own urine. The genie's out of the bottle, baby. I don't see him going back in of his own accord.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing the Democratic Party. I don't think I've ever voted Republican. Honestly can't remember my first few votes. Maybe I did. Also voted for Ross Perot when I was much younger and much dumber. I was a twenty year old kid in a hair band. What the fuck did I know then? (Jack shit is the answer to that.) But I've matured into a late twentysomething instead of an early twentysomething. Yes, I realize I'm fifty years old. Doesn't change my level of maturity. Thank Christ I've reached late twentysomething!

That being said, I'm so not attacking the Dems here. I'm proud of most of the things they've done to bring us into this century. Sincerely proud. But this. This. This has got to be addressed or we will lose our country.

I know, I know. "well what's your plan motherfucker?" I ain't got one. That's church (if I can quote Badger and Skinny Pete). I don't know how to square that circle. Not with the 1st amendment protecting speech. I truly wish I had an answer. But I liken it to global warming. We've already passed the point of no return for ocean levels rising. No one is saying, "well how do we stop this Mr./Ms. climate scientist? And if you don't have a solution you should shut the fuck up." I'm just ringing a bell I think needs rung. And there are far more intelligent people in our party than I happen to be. And, to be sure, they've been elected to handle this shit.

All's I'm saying is we cannot, fucking cannot, continue as a society when 25-40% are living under an alternate reality. Until we square that circle, I'm afraid we are doomed to walk the path of the German/Italian people. Goddamn I hope I'm wrong.

Glam

Flame away.....

[dem4decades]

1. It's like a chess game, unfortunately we're already done, we're just moving pieces.

Till checkmate is finally called.

[JanMichael]

10. Ouch. Having played a few games like that I get it.

Oh look I took their Rook! But lost my Bishop. Oh I took a Pawn. Whoops lost my Queen....and so on.

[Hekate]

2. Thank you so very much for that

Last edited Tue Jan 11, 2022, 08:39 PM - Edit history (1)

[BannonsLiver]

3. What's left to flame at this point

This is just a rehash of similar rhetoric we’ve all seen dozens if not hundreds of times in this space.

[FrankBooth]

15. No kidding

It must weigh heavily on the poor souls who have to deliver the bad news to us over and over and over and over and over again...

[OneBro]

4. A word from Glum.

[Yandex]

5. "This is the end, ......beautiful friend, ...the end"

[pwb]

6. The Media wants us all to think we are more divided than we are.

The crazy people are still a small minority IMO. The Blue wave will continue.

[PortTack]

13. Absolutely...I for one will NEVER say never!!! This is the time to take action not fold!!

volunteer, donate and support in any way one can, not give up and make doom and gloom claims. What if our leaders did this...President Biden, speaker Pelosi. They fight tooth and nail for us everyday. The least we could do is the same

[Glamrock]

20. No one is saying give up. Stop fighting.

If you choose to read that message between the lines? It's on you. My bringing this up is my attempt to get our heads around the situation and fight back.

[Glamrock]

23. Yes I said the republic is done.

Perhaps I'm not good with words but the point was if we don't deal with this issue, it's definitive. I thought the last paragraph about not being able to continue with two alternate realities was sufficient to get that point across. Apparently I was wrong. Never was a good writer. For that, I apologize.

[Glamrock]

27. Fair enough

As stated, not a great wordsmith. I've now clarified.

[L. Coyote]

7. Ha, ha, very funny.

Now, get a grip, we got this one.

[JanMichael]

8. As your senior, 53, I am not arguing. This country has been on a death spiral since 1980.

Probably you could say since 1950 but I'll blame Raygun, it's easier these days.

There have been some nice bright moments since 1980 but they pale against the eveil that has always been here.

I posted on a thread earlier about Bloody Kansas which was the primer for the Civil War. I think we've been a macro version of that for 40 years at the least.

We were founded with slavery as an accepted practice, women not voting, and one of Virginia's largest land owners becoming our 1st President.

I am not super hopeful.

I've also had that horrible realization that when climate change gets going full-steam in around 2070 I'll be dead or really close to death. X'er finally win one there, too dead to care.

[Jedi Guy]

25. "When climate change gets going full-steam in around 2070..."

Yup, agree. I'm a decade younger than you, and while getting old sucks in a lot of ways... well, I pity the young and those not yet born. I grew up in a world that was at least somewhat stable. They will not. I probably won't live to see the absolute worst that's on the horizon. They will.

Is it any wonder that so many of them are furious and resentful, that so many others are hopeless and despondent? They look at their elders, who grew up in a time when one could buy a house and support a family without working three jobs and relying on back-breaking credit, and are consumed with bitterness.

Who wouldn't be?

[JanMichael]

31. If I was 16 To 30 years old right now I would either be despondent...

...or ballistic and furious with humanity in general. Or just high (edit or drunk) all of the time like I was then and now....

Imagine growing up with a camera on you 24/7. Being bullied online. When we were kids yes there were bullies but that ended after school. And generally only few people knew about it. Now they attack 24/7 too. People can fuck with you all damned day now. It is insanity.

Sure human's will adapt to the much harsher climate but the rich ones will be in META or some shit or everyone will be in AI but ordinary people are in the Atari version.

I got why Greta Thunberg was in tears trying to get the powerful old people to understand that her future and every young persons future was in jeapardy. The powers that be say lots of talky talk but ultimately it is a big fuck off.

[Jedi Guy]

53. Yeah, pretty much.

Regarding the bullying thing, I'll admit that at first I scoffed a bit when it became a big topic of discussion. "I was viciously bullied in school, and I got through it. As my dad is fond of saying, 'Life's rough, get a helmet.'" Then I actually thought about it for a bit and you're exactly right. Once you were home, you were safe. They couldn't get you there. Now they can shadow your every move online and sustain the assault. The only way to avoid it is to go dark, but even that is only half an escape. Progress!

The next few decades will be interesting, and not in a good way. Lots of folks are going to die. I don't think humanity will cease to exist. We are, after all, adaptable beasts. But a century from now the world will look very, very different. Either it'll be warring bands brawling over resources, or... maaaaaaaaaybe humanity will learn a lesson and ditch the self-destructive behaviors, and behave more wisely going forward.

Either way, we won't be around to see it, you and I. Unless they figure out how to upload human consciousnesses to the cloud, I suppose. Beep boop.

[Voltaire2]

95. It's funny how we keep pushing the catastrophe

out to ‘past our lifetime’. It’s here. We are in it. The fires, the floods, the plagues, the masses of migrants, the political unrest, this is all the front end of the storm. It is just all going to get worse.

[JanMichael]

96. It is not a zero to million process. Yes it is the now. But this increases

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/3063849001

To that.

The front end sucks too. Heat domes??? 2070 though...

[Voltaire2]

97. Yup.

It is just going to get worse. And we appear to be the nation leading the charge toward political insanity as a response.

[CanonRay]

9. No flames here

I think you're right, sadly.

[Demovictory9]

11. no flaming . The election and mass following of trump ... I wouldn't have believe it 6 years ago

[Texaswitchy]

12. 2016 did it.

That is why I am sitting in a almost empty house.

It has been sold and just the paperwork to finish.

We are off to Canada in the spring.

Been working on it for awhile.

Unless Garland actually does something it is over.

Sad.

My PTSD cannot take it anymore.

Putin got his money worth.

[Jedi Guy]

28. Whereabouts in Canada are you going, out of curiosity?

I moved up here in 2012 to join my wife, so can't claim to have foreseen the rise of Trump, but I'm damn glad I got out before the shit hit the fan.

[Texaswitchy]

30. We are going to travel first with the Grandkids.

The grandkids are in Canada.

Their Grandmother was born there.

Her father was born there.

We have a lot of adopted family members waiting for us.


Some of them I have already met.

We will travel around and met them.


We will be with the kids and their Mom wherever they are after that.

[Jedi Guy]

46. Well, if you're gonna be in Hamilton, Ontario, lemme know.

I'll take you out for a beer.

[Loge23]

49. Good move.

Hope everything works out for you.
Life is simply too short to deal with all the noise here.
It may get better, but for folks in my age group - we won't see it.
We went down to Panama a couple of years ago during the #DFP's reign. We checked out Panama City, Coronado, David area, and Boquete. We didn't find anyplace there for us, but I'm now hoping to to take a trip to Southern Portugal if I can convince my spouse to remain open to moving. We're not young anymore but as I said - life's too short to deal with this madness.
We're active Dem party members locally and people - commendably - still say stay and fight. For what? To what end?
I don't want single party rule, even for our party; but the GOP is not a legitimate governing party anymore - it's a cult, and it's anti-American as I define being American.
I'm a direct descendent of a Mayflower passenger - my paternal family has been here since the 17th century. My ancestors fought for the US in the Revolutionary War, the Union army in the Civil War, WW1 & WW2. I'd like to think they would be appalled to see the confederate flag being paraded through the halls of Congress by nitwits who haven't a clue about what it is to be an American, jackasses sitting in Congressional offices, and tens of millions of misguided idiots still supporting a fraud - a clown.
There can be, in my estimation, no good ending here. Eventually, a spark will be lit and there will be bloodshed.
I don't want to be around for that.

[mnhtnbb]

88. My husband and I were building in Panama

as a response to Bush being reelected in 2004. We had looked at Belize first. Sold the house at Red Frog Beach in Bocas when Obama was elected and our house here burned down. I had an entire 2 BR house in storage ready to ship to Panama, but used it to furnish a rental after the fire. We thought Obama would be the end of the descent into fascism, but then TFG accelerated it

In 2015 we almost bought a place on Bonaire, but my husband backed out. Now he's dead, I'm 70, and I just can't see moving abroad by myself at this point. My oldest son is talking about Canada, waiting to see what the midterms bring. I told him that if he and his partner go, plan to sponsor me. My father's family came from Canada and I believe there are still relatives there, but haven't been contacted for 60 years.

Good luck with Portugal.

[PortTack]

14. You write at the beginning of one paragraph that the failure of the Democratic Party......

And turn around in the next and say you are not bashing the Democratic Party.

This is not helpful!!

[Glamrock]

17. And I'm not

I'm just speaking truth. Have they dealt with the rise of propaganda? What bills have they put forth to address the situation? Criticism is not bashing. This is our country, not a team sport that we root for. And dare i say, not addressing the situation we find ourselves in when a few million people believe the the Democratic party is cannibalizing babies is less helpful than my little post. But go ahead and root for the home team to your heart's content.

[Ferryboat]

16. In complete agreement

We may win a few more elections but long term the country is on a downhill trajectory. Thank god the wife and I are childless.

[Glamrock]

19. Yeah man

Us too. And yes, I'm thankful for it for the same reasons.

[demmiblue]

18. No flame from me.

I don't think a lot of people understand what a tenuous situation we find ourselves in.

I remember people finger-wagging when others proclaimed that Trump winning the election was a very distinct possibility. And look what happened. Now, the situation on the ground is far worse.

[sarisataka]

34. Funny thing

I can't recall a single poster who has checked in after moving out of the country...

[Crunchy Frog]

87. There's a member who moved to Costa Rica and posts quite regularly.

If I move I plan to keep posting on here...as long as the site is still up.

[mnhtnbb]

89. I can think of two immediately.

One to France and one to Costa Rica. I know there's one studying law in the UK, probably hoping to stay. And I've seen others who have moved with spouses from other countries back to the country of the spouse.

[childfreebychoice]

74. Sorry, but we marched for civil, women's, LGBT rights,equal

Housing and instead of things getting better for us blacks, they have gotten worse. We r old, tired and just want to live out our days in peace. I feel sorry for ppl who want to, but can't afford to leave, but am very happy to see more and more black expats, espec young ppl, in our travels to Panama, where we live, Costa Rica, Ghana, Belize, Tanzania, Portugal, Spain, Columbia, and even new Zealand. Happy that we r childfree, and have no more family stateside, as they are all expats now. Friends, around the globe think that by '24, america will belong to white supremacists, and evangelithugs, and sadly we agree.

[Fullduplexxx]

29. .

[uponit7771]

32. ***ONLY ONE POLL ON LATINO VOTERS*** and it's not a voter Poll !! It's between Putin's ...

... Whore and Biden.

Putin's Whore was overly popular with Latino community because democracts didn't get on Latino media and talk to them early enough, that's not going to happen this go around

[SergeStorms]

76. Latinos were never solidly Democratic anyway.

Do we need better messaging with Latinos? Without a doubt. Do we need to listen to Latino's conerns more closely? Absolutely.

But to say we're losing a once solidly Democratic Latino vote is disingenuous. We can, and must, do better with Latino voters, but we're hardly losing a solid Democratic voting block.

[Nay]

93. Totally agree! As a Floridian, I know that most Cubans who fled Cuba were

essentially Republicans as they settled in Florida. It's changed a bit now, 2 or 3 generations on, with the kids and grandkids, but probably not as much as you'd want.

Also, as a former Roman Catholic myself, I can say that the religion is a conservative one, and most Latinos are Catholic. Thus they are split -- as you say, not a "solid Democratic voting block."

[marie999]

33. Just a minor inconvenience considering what climate change is going to do to us;

mass migrations, starvation, riots, wars, and pestilence. It won't be the end of humans, eventually, there will be enough people dead so the planet will be able to start rejuvenating itself and humans will have another go at killing each other.

[uponit7771]

35. ***THE ANSWER*** - Inform the informers about dem lack of message mechanics. You're right...

... dem message mechanics STINK!!

They are no doubt stuck in 1980 where the message mediums weren't fractured like they are today.

To reach people you have to flood twice as many mediums as we did 20 years ago.

Dems don't do it, the reason they lost the Latino vote in Miami Dade and South Texas is cause the GQP got on the radio stations first and spouted socialism to the hilt.

The answer - inform the informers here on DU and anyone else you can get to.

Too many here on DU are quick to blame the M$M for not setting the message when the message is set by the right Dems react like we are doing with DTP and CRT.

We (me and you) need to keep informing the informers here and everywhere in our lives, dems changing their message mechanics has to be a grass roots effort.

We can do this, something it takes just one person !!!

[Glamrock]

37. Right?

I can't see how we can continue longterm when 70% of the other party truly believes the election was stolen, etc, etc.

This is something we need to address and we need to address it now. I appreciate the Blue Dogs that are here. Love those guys. But rah rah, we got this, snap out of it, yes we're all doomed bullshit ain't gonna change the dynamic of this country that we are dealing with. If we don't get our hands and heads around this situation, I can't see how we maintain this country that I love.

[madville]

36. Nah, it will ebb and flow

We’ll have power, then they will, then we’ll get it back, then they’ll get it back, etc, etc. Independent voters like punishing the party in power, it works for us just as much as against us.

The Republic will change with time, for better and worse. Just gotta roll with it and try to enjoy our time here the best we can, it’s still one of the best countries on Earth.

[ShazzieB]

78. I'm with you on this. 👍

[LuckyCharms]

38. Well said. No flames, Glamrock.

For what it's worth, I tend to agree with you. Until the head of the snake (the propaganda) is removed, the snake will keep doing its thing.

It's a harsh reality, and like you, I have no idea how to address it under our constitution.

It took its time, but it finally got ahead of us. And sadly, sometimes things are not fixable once they get ahead of you.

[Glamrock]

41. Hey Luck!

Thanks for the kind words but more importantly, WHAT'S UP MAN! Ain't talked to you in a dogs age! How you been! What's going on. Waht's the what what my friend?

[LuckyCharms]

44. !!!!

Same old shit, Glam.

Been literally a hermit for about 1.8 years now. Trying to stay alive like everyone else is.

I haven't seen your name in a longggg time!

Are you doing good, Glamrock? Keeping yourself safe?

It really is good to see you.

One other thing my friend...you're a hell of a good writer.

[Glamrock]

52. Bahhhhh!

I might have a way with words but truth is I seldom get my point across in the way I want it to be interpreted. This thread is a good example.

Thatnotwithstanding, doing okay. Got Mom living with us and she is rocketing down the slope of Lewy Body Dementia. Ho-Lee-Shit is this thing rapid! I understand now why Robin Williams went the route he did. I told my wife if I'm ever diagnosed with this, I'm following suit. Aint putting her through this shit. NOT THAT I WANT MY MOM TO DO THE SAME! But it's rough. Like having a dog or a toddler as far as life goes. Can't go anywhere or do anything as a couple because she can't be left alone, ya know. Forget concerts, plays, date night, etc. It's one person outings instead. But she's worth it. Shit, I was a 10 pound baby. There's gotta be some payback right? And when things get really bad, I can go down to the garage and stare at my Lotus and go ......."I CAN'T BELIEVE I OWN THIS THING!" LOL!

Other than that, life is okay. Can't really complain. Hate my job but it pays well and I'm highly regarded so wtf, ya know?

[LuckyCharms]

54. Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your mom.

You are a good man for taking care of your mom, and I tell you this from experience...for the rest of your days, in spite of your grief, you are going to have an inner pride that is going to change your life for the better, knowing that you did the right thing, knowing that you did what had to be done.

[Glamrock]

58. Oh dude. I'd never even consider throwing her to the wolves.

Okay, truth is, having to deal with it, I've momentarily considered it. LOL! But I'd never be able to look in the mirror. Damn my moral upbringing! I could push her down the stairs and be rich! Why, if I didn't have morals, you know how far I could have gone in corporate america? But oh no.... I had to be raised with morals and ethics. They ruint me! Back in the day I wouldn't go home with a girl if she was drunk. Good god! I was roont I tell ya! ROONT! Thanks a lot mom and dad! LOLOLOL!

[LuckyCharms]

59. Wait a minute now, you mean that back in the day...

you were presented with opportunities to go home with girls?

I'm not sure I've ever had that experience.

[Glamrock]

62. Dude!

Not to ring my own bell but, I was a hairband frontman. Didn't even have to be good looking if you had big hair and eyeliner....LOL!

[LuckyCharms]

80. My big claim to fame is that I consistently

finished 4th place in the 440 when I ran track.

Chicks didn't dig guys who consistently came in 4th place.

Consequently, I had to "ring my own bell" a lot.

[Glamrock]

82. LOLOLOLLOLOLLOL!

There's the Luck I know and love! Fucking classic!!

[TreasonousBastard]

39. Where were you when "Democrat" meant either southerners who...

refused to believe they lost the Civil War or northern cities like Chicago, Newark or New York ran things.

Did you know that at one time in Boston you brought your ballot from home to the poll. The ballots were color coded, and God help you if you had the wrong color.

During WWII, and to a lesser extent WWI Atlantic City refused to turn its lights out and became the perfect background for German subs to take out shipping.

During the 1918 flu pandemic, which was also during a war, masks and other sensible provisions were about as hated and ignored as now.

We lost over 300 local newspapers in NYC alone as Father Coughlin ruled the radio airwaves. Coughlin was shut down btw.
And John D Rockefeller became our first billionaire selling just kerosene. Meanwhile, Hearst got us into the Spanish American War before there was even radio.

We survived all that, and a huge drought and Depression with politicians even more craven than they are now.

Things are perhaps worse than a hundred years ago, but who says we can't survive this?

[Glamrock]

45. So not saying we can't and my apologies for my clumsy wording

But i can't back down in my fear that this rampant propaganda will destroy this democracy. I can't shake it.

[58Sunliner]

40. I am worried also.The more I think about moving the madder I get.

I'm not sure if we are facing a fascist state, and I could be of service alive and well in another place, able to receive refugees or what. One thing I do know, it ain't over till it's over, and I will keep fighting till then and pray for circumstances to change.

[FoxNewsSucks]

42. That sums it up about right.

Maybe it wouldn't be hopeless if two democratic senators weren't helping republicons thwart everything.

republicons have been working toward control for decades. Since Nixon, they're learned, planned ahead, and followed a strategy that is ready to pay off for them.

Too many Democrats continue to "play nice"

[FreepFryer]

43. Entitlement (Nt)

[zipplewrath]

47. The fatal flaw

There is a fatal flaw in the US constitution, and we can't change it.
It's the reason that McConnell can control 50% of the senate while only representing 30% of the population.
The original Constitution never intended that a minority could actually control the senate, only make the size of their minority power "outsized".
But with the creation of so many "small" states, the minority has been handed majority power.

And in 2040 70% of the population will live in only 15 states, resulting in a situation where 30% of the population controls 70% of the Senate.

And gerrymandering only makes things worse. Alabama has 8 congressmen, and 7 are GOP, despite state wide races being won by margins like 47 to 53. Should less than 60% of the population control 7/8ths of the congressional representation?

This is unsustainable and this time it won't be a geographical war, it will be an urban versus rural war and fought more as a guerrilla war. Think Northern Ireland.

[hay rick]

48. It's time to hide under our beds. nt

[brooklynite]

50. We'll then, I won't respond.

No point discussing matters if it’s all hopeless.

[ShazzieB]

77. I know what you mean, brooklynite.

I couldn't BE as negative as this o.p. if I tried, and I definitely don't want to try.

I was thinking about trashing this thread, but for some reason, I started skimming through the comments. I don't think I'll bother trashing it now.

[JI7]

51. What country did you grow up in ? For much of this country's history

many people did not have rights. Even now many don't , especially in practice.

It's always been a struggle to get what we could and to keep it.

The country voted for Reagan in huge numbers .

[betsuni]

91. +1

[relayerbob]

55. Well, I guess I'll just give up, then

Oh, yeah, no, I won't. Panicking will accomplish exactly nothing, and running around saying the sky is falling doesn't help. The "bell" you're ringing has been rung many times. We have to work, not just throw up our hands in despair.

[Glamrock]

60. Kick ass! The bell has been rung! Glad to hear it!

That's all we needed was the bell to be rung and problem solved. How did we solve this problem of 24/7 propaganda from every media source again? It escapes me. Was it H.R. Nowefuckinghaven'tsolvedthisissueandignoringitisnotgoingtomakeitgoaway? That's the last one I remember.

[relayerbob]

64. The end of the world is nigh

Thanks, I'll continue to work and not follow your lead.

[Glamrock]

67. At your discretion....or peril.

Ain't like other countries aren't discussing what to do if we go full on fascist. I'm just pointing at the cause.

[relayerbob]

72. None of it is news

We've known about the coming ecological collapse for decades. We've known about the rise of fascism for many years. We've been fighting this battle for a long time. Just throwing out that we're all done, stick a fork in it, is pure defeatism. If that's your only contribution, then better to just zip it, it ain't helping. Especially here. We. All. Know. The. Risks.

What are YOU going to do about it?

[Glamrock]

81. Listen bob, if I can call you that.

That's a fair question. And I'll give you a fair answer. What am I going to do about trying to regulate the media in this country or to enforce already existing propaganda laws? Not a damn thing. I don't have the ability to enforce or regulate a goddamned thing. Wish I could. That and $7 bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. That's the way it is. I don't have the ability to get the Democratic party to regulate nor the Justice department to enforce. But we have to start talking about this and leaning on our reps to start taking up this battle before it's too late. Sorry if you don't like the tone of the bell, but we are on the precipace here and we have to deal with the rot that is todays media.

Again, not picking a fight. Just trying to explain where the post came from. The point was if we don't deal with it, we are done. I didn't really express that correctly but that was my point for what it's worth.

[relayerbob]

84. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to deal with it

I don't know where you live, but in Georgia, this is something we hear every day from Sens Warnock and Ossoff. I'm also in MacBath's (former) district and we are gearing up for the elections this year with Abrams and Warnock on the ballot. The GQP is working overtime to steal the election before it even starts, so I am extremely well aware of the situation. And my reps are working tirelessly on these very subjects. If your representatives are not, then yes, push on them. Hard. Work on voter registration. Canvass. Send postcards to voters (very effective tool, by the way).

People here at DU are talking about this all the time. Constantly, in fact, so much it has almost inspired to leave, because negative messaging is only helping the other side. I'm also not trying to start a fight, but your OP comes across as very defeatist. Something I was talking about today to someone was, when I was a kid, when someone tried to bully me, beat me up, or overwise put me down, it inspired me and fired me up to prove them wrong, or beat them at whatever thing was going on, whether sports, academics, etc., including one in which the school bully picked on me one time too many and I kicked the shit out of him. The next day, he tried to get sympathy from the playground teachers, and they just blew him off. We can't just let bullies push us around, you have to stand up to them.

That doesn't happen if you just say "put a fork in it. This Republic is done." then you've simply surrendered. Posting that all is lost, is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy. We create the world we exist in, in many ways, and we have to get fired up and get people around us fired up. That post didn't come across like that, IMO. I'm sorry if I've upset you, as I am not trying to be so argumentative, but really, seriously, that sort of message, especially at a place where activisits meet, is not serving the end game we need. Again, IMO.

[relayerbob]

66. It's all happened before

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216235170

[vercetti2021]

56. Fuck that

I'm first on their list of people that will be executed for being trans. Better believe I'll pick whichever resistance and die fighting taking as many to hell with me before I drop to my knees and beg. Fuck all that shit

[Glamrock]

61. Glad to hear it, on your side.

Are you saying that we can continue with 70% of the opposing party beleiving whatever bullshit Fox et al tells them? Because if that's the case, we disagree.

[vercetti2021]

71. Nope we can't

If we do become fascist nation. Itll be that shit 100% no alternative

[BunnyMcGee]

57. I feel about the same

and still want to keep up the fight to save our country. There are some in my family who don't care and would accept T'ism or Fascism. They are the ones without working brains or knowledge of history.

[Jon King]

63. I disagree, megacorps won't let it happen, top leaders from both parties are wealthy.

Megacorps make their trillions with a relatively stable America. And political leaders of both parties are stake holders in corporate America. Megacorps give to both parties.

Do this exercise....research the financial status of every President and Vice President, almost every major Senator, House Speakers, from both parties, go back in their lives, and look where they stood financially before they took office. And then compare to their financial status after. You will see that major political figures from BOTH parties end up much better off financially after office if they were not already wealthy before office.

Now do the same exercise with their families as best you can. Their kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews....they end up better off financially too.

So they will get us to argue with each other, but as they approach the cliff there will be a shift back just enough to keep the gravy train rolling along for them and their families and their descendants.

[Glamrock]

65. And brother? that is about pessimistic and craven enough for me to believe you may be right!

LOL! Thread winner!!!!!!!!!!!

[progressoid]

68. Dems should spend a day listening to AM radio

The right wing is fucking nuts. And to pretend that we can deal with them like they are reasonable foes is folly.

And now back to my bottle of merlot.

[Grokenstein]

69. The Glamrock Method of Motivating People

[Lonestarblue]

70. No flames from me. I've also reached the conclusion that we have one last chance.

And it’s 2022, because if Republicans retake the House majority, they will ensure that there is enough confusion around election results that the election will be thrown to the House, where the Republican candidate will be chosen. If we can hold on to both houses of Congress in 2022 AND elect at least two more Democrats (net) to make Manchin and Sinema irrelevant, we have a chance to improve voting rights and continue Biden’s agenda that those two are blocking.

The key, I think, is registering new voters and getting as many people out to vote as possible. Young people especially are notorious for not voting, yet they will be the most affected by continued inaction on climate warming, which is now being hampered with the refusal to pass Build Back Better.

I like Michelle Obama’s initiative to register 1,000,000 new voters for the 2022 election. If Republicans take the House majority in 2022, then we truly are in dangerous territory.

[NNadir]

73. No need to apologize. I don't take what you say seriously. n/t.

[hadEnuf]

75. I hope you are wrong, but we also need to understand what we are up against.

Trump and his sewer dwelling cohorts may see some justice over the 1/6 insurrection but right wing media will work the airwaves triple overtime to turn any justice dealt into a rallying cry for their brainwashed fascists. We are dealing with propaganda so bad that followers are literally sacrificing themselves over a vaccine that has been turned into a political football, so I don't think it will take much to convince them of absolutely anything. Justice for 1/6 alone only is not going to solve everything, but it is a good start.

We need to beat them at their own games. Enough with tying our own hands because "we don't want to be like them". We will never "be like them" so we need to start hitting them back where it matters, without let up.

[Texasgal]

79. I'll bet you are a blast at happy hour.

[Glamrock]

83. I'll drink you under the table!

[appalachiablue]

86. ++ why dont you put up some of the cool pix

of you and the band, esp. for this one?! Not a sourpus, by any means. Ha!

I hear you, btw. We're in dark waters.

[Nay]

94. That was a totally revealing essay. A great read. NT

[betsuni]

90. The failure is the Republican Party and Americans being so fucking stupid.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

92. If conservative Democrats were not helping Republicans obstruct President Biden's

agenda, we could, and would, save the Republic.