How angry are we these days?

[redstatebluegirl]

In the past 5 years or so I have noticed a distinct shift in the level of anger I feel and the level of anger i see in others around me. The tension in my daily life is palpable and it wears on me. Everything, even small things, seem to bring on a level of anxiousness that is silly.

I attribute these changes in the "quality of my life" to seeing friends, family and former students suffer job loss, health issues that have bankrupted them. Watching all of our expenses go up in a slow but steady manner. Groceries for us have gone up about 20 percent and I don't think we eat as well as we used to, i use coupons and watch for sales but it doesn't seem to help. Gas of course, car and home insurance have gone through the roof because we live in Oklahoma where bad weather is a regular thing. Our once healthy savings account is now down to a month of salary after paying for some necessary home repairs and an illness.

My friends who have lost jobs are faring so badly I feel lucky, most are in their late 40's early 50's and cannot find work that pays anythng close to what they were making, some have lost homes and cars and are on food stamps. These were solid middle class people 5 yers ago. No wonder I cannot sleep at night, there by the grace of God go I.

I do NOT blame the President, I Blame the Bush administration, the Republicans, all of them, and the right wing media that feeds them.

Am I angry, yes, do I understand the anger of young people who cannot find a good enough job to pay for the basics, food, housing and clothing absolutely! I have warned before that we are dangerously close to class warfare. The masses will rise upif this continues, frightened people do things that under normal circumtances they would not consider.

My hope is the Democrats win in 2014 and go right to work fixing the things these idiots have done to our precious country and her people. Yes, I still have hope that good will overcome evil, it s the ony way I can get up in the morning.

Thanks for allowing me to vent here, I think it helps me because I normally feel safe here.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I've seen and felt that same anger. Prices are going up,

but not wages. More and more people slipping through the cracks into poverty instead of advancing despite the fact that they are working harder. The thought that programs to help the poor, mainly children, are being cut while the rich continue to live a lavish lifestyle without paying their fair share.

I could go on and on, but we recognize those problems. I believe the only hope we have is to vote the RWNJs out of office and enact some serious campaign finance reform to level the playing field.

[kydo]

2. That it sums up - only difference

Your in Oklahoma and I am in a red part of Florida.

But I've been this angry since 2010. I was pretty angry from 2000-2008 but thought maybe now with the bush criminal gang gone maybe some sanity would happen. That lasted all but one year. Baggers every where saying without facts, this President is bad leader we can't take much more etc etc sprinkled with the birther crap and the Barry Muslim bull shite. And then it was 2010.

My final straw was 2012. I used to not want to stoop to baggers levels so I didn't counter the lies that spewed from their mouths. But that changed late Sept 2012. Now any time I can I take on the baggers. Maybe because they are so predictable with their talking points. Basically if they get to the point of saying Benghazi you know you won. Because any sense any other argument might have had (albeit tiny amount of sense - these are baggers not much sense there), once they get mad with facts you correct them with they have to go to the total conspiracy fake stuff, and it generally starts with Benghazi. I usually just smile and LOL when that starts.

But to answer your question "How angry are we these days?" Extremely.

[redstatebluegirl]

3. Hi to you in Florida Kydo

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. I saw an marked increase in general psychological dysfunctionality among people I worked with...

... in the three years before retired ( 2012 ). Depression, anxiety disorders, the whole range. Evident spike in alcohol, drug use. Insomnia.

I worked in public schools. On and on it goes. A long time colleague ( *spectacular* teacher) took a psychiatric leave a few weeks ago. Not going to come back, I'm pretty sure.

>>I do NOT blame the President, I Blame the Bush administration, the Republicans, all of them, and the right wing media that feeds them.>>.

It's the *policies* that are of concern to me... not whether the candidate has a D or an R after his name. Obama, lacking any personal experience in this area, has mindlessly embraced the "market based school reforms" of Bush and *intensified* them exponentially. Chaos, mega-bureaucracy and complete dysfunctionality has (quite predictably) ensued.

I see little philosophical difference between the corporate ( ok: "Obama&quot wing of the DEM party and George W. Bush. Truth be told, urban public schools worked better under Bush than they do now... at least all the ones I know about. ( I do activism in this area so I know about a LOT.)


Point: just sticking a bunch of "little Obamas" in congress to replace teabaggers is not going to solve much of anything. At least not as far as public ed goes.

[SharonAnn]

28. But this is where "D" numbers make a difference. The Majority Leader controls

which bills are brought to the floor. If you're in the Minority, you cen get absolutely "run over" by the Majority Leader by being ignored.

Even Blue dog "D"s add to the number of Democrats. So while they don't vote on issues the way I would like, at least a majority of "D" representatives could bring back Nancy Pelosi.

[Jamaal510]

36. Blue D's

vote with us, at worst, roughly 70% of the time. Republicans and 'Baggers: close to 0%, if at all.

[ancianita]

5. Another good question: How willing are the angry to channel that anger into GOTV?

[LisaLynne]

6. The sort of anger that I think the OP is talking about ...

is the kind that isn't going to be focused into any positive action, like GOTV. It's the sort of anger that doesn't spur positive action, but either lashing out in violent ways or turns into depression, where action is just too overwhelming.

[redstatebluegirl]

8. I am not violent

It is a comment on the anger I see around me, much of it could turn to violence if things do not change. Depression, I think everyone has a bit of that at this point.

Not to worry I am the last person who would hurt anyone else and unlike many people I would seek professional help if needed....

I see a few people here who could use some anger management but this OP is just a bit of a check in to see where people are on the anger meter, I guess I want to know I am not alone.

[LisaLynne]

9. I didn't mean YOU are violent ...

I was talking in general about the anger I'm seeing elsewhere in the world, from others.

[redstatebluegirl]

12. Thanks for that!

[ancianita]

11. I understand that. Understanding is the booby prize. Anger isn't bad, it's how it's expressed that

is either constructive or destructive. Many people retreat to addiction to blunt the pain. Others simply adapt to conditions by staying angry as sheer emotional habit.

Yet, others get out and use anger's energy to raise awareness, resist, flee from or fight against those causing the anger. Political activism is one arena. Social services engagement is another.

If this thread is only attempting to validate the reality of anger, fine. But if that's its only goal, it won't go far enough to undo the causes of anger.

[redstatebluegirl]

14. What brought this on was something I saw yesterday.

We had to call 911 when a neighbor, who has always been the sweetest guy, chased a teenager down he street because the kid's basketball landed in his flower bed... Crazy thing the young man apologized was careful in removing it and this man threw a box at yhe kid and started chasing him. Another neighbor caught him and held him down we thought he might really hurt the kid. Come to find out he had lost his job yesterday. Crazy stuff.

[ancianita]

17. Understandable. You can see in that the unproductive uses of anger misdirected.

Horizontal violence is a common problem among the unemployed class. The solution is finding ways to redirect people's anger toward those who caused it.

[redstatebluegirl]

18. Thankfully the police just talked with him did not arrest.

He was crying, hugging the boy when they got there. I think he is mid 50s very sad.

[ancianita]

24. I've seen firsthand how police defuse misdirected anger. Your larger question is still important.

Police very often calm the energy down in ways that the public often doesn't get to see, but sometimes we just cannot put a price tag on the work they do in communities. Prevention of horizontal violence is a lot cheaper than punishing it. Police know this.

I have my own 'good cop' crime story to relate here sometime, just not now.

[cilla4progress]

38. Tragic.

So glad it ended this way.

I recently lost my job (lay off - employer couldn't afford to keep me on...) and I tell you, regardless of the reason, it is very dehumanizing, destabilizing, and esteem-damaging. I'll be surprised if my husband doesn't leave me... I hate being this angry!! The only thing that seems to help is being with my animals/pets and in nature!!

[cilla4progress]

33. Addiction.

I deeply believe this is why we so many problems with drug and alcohol abuse these days. I do not have statistics - wish I did - but it feels so endemic.

I'm fortunate to live in a state where marijuana is now legal (Washington). Somehow, however, I can't help thinking it's government's way of pacifying us! Which may not be a bad thing!

[ancianita]

39. I think government pacification, from PR to drugs, is always a bad thing. Freedom can't be

had through unconsciousness. Spreading distraction and unconsciousness among the wounded and weak of a population is evil. Anger is a genetic tool for stopping what hurts human freedom, rights and evolution. It's up to the rest of us to not rationalize it away.

[cilla4progress]

44. Wow - you are a real truth-teller

and great observer. I love your comments.

Thank you!!

[ancianita]

46. Thank you!

[Andy823]

30. An excellent question

Above all things getting out the voters is the key to fixing the gridlock we now have in D.C. If we want thing to change for the better then we need to make sure we get out, vote, and put those who have been causing the gridlock out of a job!

I know that some here think both parties are pretty much the same, but the fact is that even the worst democrat is usually 10 times better than any republican candidate. Not voting helps the other side, sitting home and feeling sorry for ones self helps the other side. Allowing ones self to become so depressed they give up and just accept what is happening, also helps those who want to continue on down the road to a two class system of the rich, the poor. Voting does make a difference, and it starts locally and at state levels. Letting the right take over the states is going to just as bad as letting them take over at a national level.

People "are" angry, and they need to put that anger to good use by getting people out to vote!

[rrneck]

10. You ain't seen nothing yet. nt

[JaneyVee]

13. This new version of ourselves since the financial collapse.

[hfojvt]

15. usually not so much

although my car trouble the other day seemed to put me in a rage
and I do hate my job

I think, though, that there is an anger/hate industry which tries to stir up anger, anger at THEM - at the other tribe. You know the ones. Back in 2001-2009, we were angry at the sheeple who voted for that fascist - the Bushler. He brought us those awful wars (one of which may still be going on, although one does not hear about it these days) and that patriot act and those free speech zones.

Now, with our own guy in the White House, there might be two reasons for the left to be angry. First, we can be angry about how Obama is a corporate sell out. Second, we can be angry about the obstructionist teahadists and the sheeple who vote for them and protest against Obama.

There is always somebody to "be against" and to rage against. http://dailyhowler.blogspot.com/2013/11/malala-matthews-and-maddow-rachel.html

"On cable, the glory of being against someone is the basic product. Much as Hannity does on Fox, Rachel Maddow trains us in this stance every night of the week."

Not only to "be against someone" but to be ANGRY that they exist, that they have a view which opposes your own. The nerve. We should be prepared to take up arms against such miscreants, because they cannot be reasoned with. All THEY do is hate, hate, hate. Those dirty, rotten, filthy, stinking fothermuckers and their endless hate. It burns me up, it does.

Or so it goes.

[redstatebluegirl]

16. We need a "like" button here

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. My mood is pretty complex and continually evolving....during the Bush* years, I was irate

nearly all the time. It was directed anger at our so-called leaders and the lying media.

During the Obama years my anger at the media has sharpened, and my feeling toward those that continually obstruct progress is one of nearly disbelief - coupled with sadness at the easy manipulation of so many people.

I've got anger fatigue - and I've found ways to cope; mostly by just refocusing on my family and my hobbies. Sometimes I feel guilty about the "bubble" my wife and I have created to live in; life is short, and we need to enjoy those people and pursuits that we love.

I guess in a way I've become somewhat disconnected, numbed, dulled about politics. Problem is I don't see an easy way out for the "good guys" with Citizens united money, gerrymandering, IQ dropping TV with so many addicted, and non-stop lying from the media.

[PasadenaTrudy]

27. I totally relate

Yes, anger fatigue is what I'm feeling. I've chosen to disconnect more - - no TV, I only read the news now, in small bits. I'm almost 50 and have lost my mom and my only sister in the last three years. Dad died in '87. I realize that life truly is short and getting shorter! I must focus on the good and the small beauties in life or I can get very depressed. Being in perimenopause doesn't help either. So, yes, spend time with loved ones and do things that make you happy, I can dig that I've been buying tomatoes at the farmer's market and making tomato sandwiches, had to mention that since yours look so good

[cilla4progress]

35. Y'know, this is really helpful to me. Thank you.

Because I haven't for the hell of me been able to figure out how to deal with it (my anger). I'm not religious - closer to pagan than anything (that's where I see divinity, if you will) or Buddhist (which I honestly don't know much about other than that they don't focus on a god and "it is what it is&quot . So just not sure where to put my focus. My husband and I were just discussing this as we went to sleep last night - that the rise of the xtian radicals is due to people going crazy over the same stuff: anger. That is THEIR response.

Although there are family issues for us (extended; it's a damn shame) we do have family - and wonderful friends - whom we adore. Also hobbies, animals, live close to the natural world. I guess it's time to live in my bubble. I do believe strongly in volunteering and always have. I will continue to do that as well. I should also listen more to music, instead of political tv and radio.

[magical thyme]

20. I'm feeling it in myself and seeing it in others...

I work in customer service for a finance company 3 days/week and the callers are increasingly explosively angry, usually for no discernable reason. And I was recently the target of a passive-aggressive attack by 2 co-workers and then my boss.

In the most recent situation I said "no thank you" at least 18 times, 6 times to each person, before finally relenting and providing a piece of personal information that was none of their motherfucking business. I learned from a co-worker last night (who has been in the group longer than I) that they have not once requested this information from him. I plan to take it to HR on Monday because it was clear-cut harassment and put me into a pit of PTSD despair all this past week. It wasn't about the fucking tidbit of personal information. It was about my right to say "no thank you" and have that simple request respected. It was about my rights versus their power to force me to their will. Instead of celebrating my 60th birthday, I spent much of the week re-living being stalked and harassed at my hospital job by a brain damaged, alcoholic janitor,being harassed by a registered sex offender and his gang of thugs for 3 years and forced out of my home, physically abused by my father "playing with me" as a 5 year old while I screamed and sobbed begging him to stop and then when I thought my heart would explode with pain, my mother screaming at him to stop and trying to physically pull him off me, and other horrors by people who do not accept "no" for an answer, no matter what the situation. And in between, coaxing my dogs out from behind the furniture where they were hiding, so I could hug them and tell them I wasn't mad at them and I wasn't screaming at them.

So yeah, now I'm filled with anger. I work very hard to get plenty of rest, eat a good diet by growing many of my own organic veggies, stay in shape, stay ahead of the bills, be positive and focussed, etc. But when you are surrounded by angry people who make you their target for either aggressive or passive-aggressive anger, its nearly impossible not to get dragged and beaten into it.

[cilla4progress]

40. Honey, I want you to know that I hear you,

and I care. You deserve to be angry, and thank goddess for dogs!

I have a dear friend, more like a sister, who has been through much of what you describe, and I affirm and validate her every chance I get. Neither of you deserve this treatment. You are special souls, and we are fortunate to have you among us!

Take care -

[magical thyme]

43. thank you so much for this...

I'm counting the months, weeks, days and minutes to when I can at least semi-retire and retreat more to my bubble. Thank the gods/goddesses/all-that-is for my home...

[cilla4progress]

45. Me too.

Take care and stay in touch!

[brooklynite]

21. Personally, I think you're projecting your own anger...

I note that the first thing you mention was "the anger I feel". I know a lot of people who work paycheck to paycheck; I know someone who's business just failed. I haven't seen any "signs of anger" in them.

[Mojorabbit]

57. Perhaps the failed business person has turned those feelings inward

There has to be some sort of grieving at the loss of a dream. It is hard to know what is in someone's mind unless they spill.

[brooklynite]

59. She spilled to me at dinner this week

She's annoyned all right, but the OP suggests that an overarching anger is enveloping people, and that's what I don't see.

[mountain grammy]

22. We all should be angry.

I'm mad as hell at the blatant racism, homophobia, and misogyny I hear every day and at the media who is giving these nuts a platform to spew lies and hate.
We damn well better hang on to our anger and resist this hateful propaganda that's made "liberal" and "union" and "peace" dirty words. Our lack of anger has allowed us to be marginalized. No more, I say!

I will continue to be a proud liberal for peace, unions and choice, and I'll speak out long and loud against the nasty, rotten agenda of the Republican party whenever I get the chance.

[cilla4progress]

41. I love you!

[ananda]

23. Not angry enough... yet.

..

[NV Whino]

25. My anger entered the red zone in November 2000

And, with few respites, has increased ever since then.

[russspeakeasy]

26. Thank you. I knew it wasn't just me.

[Zorra]

29. Any contact with right wingers and their insidious BS raises my BP a few notches.

They chronically make life worse for everyone, and I wish they'd all move to another planet and stop destroying ours.

[L0oniX]

31. Let me count the ways...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/~L0oniX

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

What they've done to the Constitution was not done democratically by the majority of an informed...
US population. We can't be informed because they hide the truth in state secrets. We can't trust the voting system because corporations own the machines with proprietary hackable code and SCOTUS will when it can, decide for us. We are forced to accept candidates that are manipulated and selected by the corporate media. Steal a car and get killed by the cops but steal from the US people and get a fat TARP pie. Iraq war criminals live in security and peace while new ones are preparing to do the same. The MIC profits from the deaths of children while its employees make enough money send their kids to the best colleges. Public schools are being destroyed and everyone is going to end up having their kids graduate from K12 schools online. Ya can't even pledge allegiance to the flag without questioning the validity of the words used nor sing the nation anthem without also questioning the validity of the words used. Imposter's hold office and the nations poor, sick and elderly are at severe risk because of unbridled greed. SCOTUS runs wild with interpretations only Timothy Leary could come up with and the Goldman Sachs congressional mafia plays Uncle Wiggly and Chutes and Ladders. The executive branch runs its Punch and Judy puppet show after suckering punching every lefty progressive who sided with the Dems in a facade of hope and change. US democracy is an illusion with its zombie voter party constituents, all the while operating under the pretense of American exceptional-ism and a never ending war on perceived terrorism coming from all sides and internally too. National fear mongering is all the rage to enable endless money being thrown into vast secret DHS and NSA operations partly designed to protect the 1% from the rest of us ...and most certainly it will be used against us should we the people take up cause against this continuing attack on our constitutional and human rights. I totally understand why the elderly wish to not even think about it anymore but try to live out the remainder of their lives without being cast out into the streets or die on the steps of a hospital. Apathy? O yes indeed ...and much of it.

Cops and the patriotic enlisties we praise will kill us. I expect it will eventually happen.
Maybe someone can explain to me how and or why it is now legal for US military to fight and or harm the US people who may be demonstrating and or protesting against government actions and or inactions ...and violations of the principles laid out in the Constitution. Who has the authority without the consent of of the majority to change the interpretation of the Constitution? Don't tell ma all about the SCOTUS that I did NOT vote for. IMO all 3 branches are to represent the majority of the US people and if they don't then they should be forcibly removed from office since they have clearly violated the principles laid out in our Constitution to which they swore a moral oath to uphold. I submit that only the majority of the represented US people have the real authority to change the Constitution through elected representatives when those said representative actually do represent the will of the majority of the US people. While they do represent a majority of the voters who voted for them those said voters are not the all inclusive population of the majority to which they are to represent. So in actuality they do not represent the majority if they should pass any bill or amendment that clearly does not represent the majority of the voting and non voting people of the USA. You want an example? Most recent is the national gun background check. There was and still is a majority of the US people who want this and our facade of representatives would not follow the will of the majority. If they do not represent the majority then they have no right to govern over us. They were elected to serve our interests, not corporate or military interests. They don't represent us and they will not really represent us unless the money is removed from their cold dead hearts! You want to see a militarized US ...just try and stop the 1%!

NOW HAVE A NICE DAY FFS!

[cilla4progress]

32. Totally...for all the reasons you say.

And like you, I've been sharing my political rants here, rather than FB. Safer. More common interests.

It feels to me like nothing "works" any more. It feels like "everyone" is just in there for the quick gain, monetarily, materially. I believe "we the people" see the CEOs, Congress, and other "leaders" and feel we need to pattern our lives after them. They ignore facts, science, and fight over nothing - grandstanding. They take us all for fools. They take no responsibility or accountability for their actions, impacts on people. Same thing with the corporations. What are corporations about after all? "Limited liability"; i.e., no accountability.

I started taking a CS Monitor survey the other day entitled "What Class Are You," the premise of which was "class" is something more than education and income. I came to question @ 7, and it asked you to agree or disagree with the following statement: "I believe most people one encounters are trustworthy." Several years ago I would have agreed; no longer. It stopped me in my tracks.

I believe (in a left-wing atheistic enviro-conscious way) we truly ARE in "last days." Whether from revolution, nuclear or environmental devastation. I think this is what is sending so many over the edge. As President Obama said: causing folks to "cling to their guns and religion." I thought there was a lot of truth in that statement!

Thank you for your post, 'girl. Blessings upon you.

[redstatebluegirl]

34. Thanks!

It is good to talk to sane people once in a while! Blessings to you as well!

[cilla4progress]

42. Crap - I must be a MESS!

I am LIVING on this thread this morning! You really unleashed a torrent, 'girl! I think it is productive and certainly cathartic to have this space to vent.

Maybe we need a new group - the "anger" group?

[joanbarnes]

37. I totally agree...everywhere you look has seen better times.

[cilla4progress]

47. This is one of the healthiest,

most supportive DU threads I've ever been on.

Thank you for getting it started redstate - I really needed this, this morning.

And thank you to everyone who has shared here. You have turned my heart.

[redstatebluegirl]

49. I needed it after yesterday

That really upset me to see that right in front of my house... I thi k we all need this from time to time. A break from the anger to look at our anger

[cilla4progress]

51. I relate..

I have been SO angry lately. Not just since my layoff. As I have observed the disintegration all around. There is no benefit - no virtue or value - in honesty any more. Nor in competence, or conscientiousness, or compassion. Anyway, that's my view. I think I'm a relic. Everything is for the short run now.

After reading some of these inspiring and heartfelt posts, I decided: I am holding onto my love. That's all. I think if I become completely cynical, anger- and hate-filled, I have given up and let the anger and hate beat me - down.

I don't know how this plays out, but, as someone above stated, I am focusing on family, friends, and what sustains me and others. I know for me one of the first steps must be listening to more music instead of talk radio and TV (MSNBC). The artistic impulse in humans is one of the few good things about us, in my view!

Thank you.

[davidthegnome]

48. Angry enough.

I've never been comfortable with my own anger. Especially for the last ten years of my life, I have kept my temper on a very short, very tight leash, because when I lose it I tend to go seriously nuts for a while. It's not that I become violent - more that, because there is no safe place to direct it, I focus all of my anger inwards, turn it against myself, which leads to tendencies that are self destructive, to put it mildly.

While being angry scares me a bit, because I'm one of those people that really needs to be in control (of my own mind/actions, etc.) I have been becoming more so very recently. Some of it is work related, eight dollars an hour, trying to juggle bills, plans for the future, how I'm going to ever become financially independent... with student loan payments coming up, I'm pretty well screwed as I'm already down to part time due to health reasons.

Those are personal things though - and not what REALLY makes me angry. No, what really makes me angry is that I'm one of the lucky ones - I get to live with my parents, have a decent home to come back to, and don't have to worry about starving.. not yet, anyway.

People are struggling, going hungry, going broke, giving up. I gave up myself for years - and it's hard as hell to get back into the work-force, to re-join society, when you willingly abandoned it for nearly a decade. I imagine how people are going to make it by with the cuts to food stamps, I envision people sleeping on the streets, begging for help. I read accounts of homes foreclosed upon, happiness lost, lives and families destroyed. All of these things happen, in large part, because we have a government that is more interested in placating and pleasing billionaires than it is in actually serving the Citizens that elected it.

The money to improve our infrastructure? Check out those nifty Bush tax cuts that we made permanent. Better education? Google charter schools. Not enough money to pay for health care? Off shore tax havens are pretty sweet, aren't they?

Millionaires and billionaires, taxed at 35-45% (if that), corporations getting away without paying taxes. And, the money that we do have (it's still quite a lot) goes, for the most part, into funding military projects - far more goes into the projects than goes into paying our actual military veterans, or members.

I'm angry at the oligarchs. The politicians, the corporations. I'm angry at the democrats who rant angrily about food stamps and welfare. I'm angry at the republicans and tea party members that are the billionaires best friends, and don't really give a shit about anything meaningful.

Most of all... I'm angry at myself, because I can't do enough to change things. I can't do enough to stop the evil, greed, selfishness, cruelty, ignorance and intolerance that is all around me. I feel inadequate and powerless. It was different when Obama was a rising star... I really, really believed passionately that we could start to make progress, to change things for the better. Now I think I was simply young and naive at that time, caught up in the charisma of a decent, intelligent man.

Angry as I am, I keep that part of me silent and shut down. I could not function otherwise. So everything stays in until... once or twice a year, I have a total nervous break down. Oh well. What can you do? I'd better go get ready for work, so I can pay for my car, and gas... to get to work.

[redstatebluegirl]

50. Cyberhug to you David....

[davidthegnome]

62. Thanks

Hugs are very much appreciated. Feeling kind of like an ogre today.

[otohara]

52. I Was Yelled At By Security Guard @ Red Rocks

for asking for a chair to sit on.

I even showed him my brace, it was demeaning.

"I'm so sick of you people and your problems, I told your friend NO and I'm not going to change my mind'.

[Doctor_J]

53. not angry enough

We are not really doing a damn thing of any substance against the real enemies. The results of 2009-2010 should convince you that just having dems in office is not enough.

[roamer65]

54. It's life in a dying empire.

Concentration of wealth in a few elites, inflation, poverty, reduced standard of living, etc, etc. The list goes on...

Ask the Russians about the fall of the Soviet Union and it will sound remarkably similar.

[juanrodriguezn248]

55. I think people in general have gotten more and more angry over the past 5 years.

I know from personal experience. A close friend of mine, who is a hardcore wingnut, started to really show his true colors after Obama's election. He would often go on racist tirades about how the "Muslim, Kenyan socialist" is destroying this country. Fox News has really poisoned the minds of so many people.

Frankly, 2014 can't come soon enough for me.

[Rex]

56. I am still boiling blood mad at Cheney and his lackey Dubya.

I thought that kind of anger went away over time, nope. When they finally stand trial for Iraq, then maybe some of the anger will subside. Not holding my breath.

[DiverDave]

58. VERY angry

I just cannot understand why people blame poor folks for everything.
When the stinking oil company get cash grants (CASH!) and then pay no taxes...
It then just makes my brain explode when people agree that food stamps and Social Security cuts are the way to go.
Just makes me want to vomit.
A 1.5% raise for SS?? that is a slap in the face for all of us that have paid in for decades. And
then they have the gall to call it a god damned 'entitlement'.
I really do want to punch somebody in the face when I hear them say that it's ok for people (KIDS!) to go to bed hungry.
What happened to someone that they could even THINK such a thing.
I really dont understand how anyone could say/do such things.

[Packerowner740]

60. I am one of those 50 something year olds that lost a job

Due to medical issues, thank goodness I was able to get disability. It helps but it's still really rough getting by.

[davidthegnome]

61. I considered it.

At twenty-nine, I've never had a job I've been able to keep doing for more than three or four months, until recently. When I had my latest disaster... psychological breakdown, whatever (PTSD), I I set up a meeting with a lawyer to see if it would make sense for me to apply for disability. I have been in the "looking for work" business so very many times in such a short life. At times I've spent months, even a year, just looking for something I could do given my limitations.

Listening to the lawyer talk about it really quickly convinced me that it wouldn't be a terribly good idea for me. I'm still young enough to work, I'm in reasonable physical condition... and I'm hoping that at some point, I will get the upper hand against... well, myself.

It would have been a max of something like 200-300 bucks a week (not sure if this differs greatly between states, but I'm in Maine) and I would have had to have been satisfied with that, not trying to work to earn more, being careful not to do too well if I go back to school.

So I shook her hand, thanked her for her time, and went back to work. Six hundred a month isn't huge, but it's enough to live with my parents. It just sucks having to explain to potential girlfriends, friends, and even co-workers that... well, yes, I live with my mom and dad, because I'm screwed up in the head. Ugh.