Question for those who've been into politics for awhile.

[mrgorth]

I was a registered independent for most of my life. Prior to Bush I would describe myself as apolitical. Sometime during the WJC years I got involved with Irish politics, with Sinn Fein. I came to understand that democrats tend to help more on this front. Also, as I learned that Sinn Fein considered themselves socialist, I learned some of their policies and found myself agreeing with them, regardless of the united Ireland thing. Anyhow, from there, I developed the hatred for Bush, I moved to the left and the rest is history. Thing is, I'm miserable. Everyday it's reading about the pugs, what they've done, what they're trying to do. It's hearing the wing nut talkers and their neanderthalic callers. It's all frustration all the time. I'm hoping to god that, if and when we beat Bush this will all subside and that, while I can still be aware, I won't be as angry as anxious as hateful or fearful. So, my question to you is, is this something I can legitimately look forward to? If Bush stays in office or if these feelings don't otherwise go away I'm quite sure I'll need psychiatric help before long. More directly, do these feelings moderate or once you get in are you like this forever? 'Cause if so I'm in trouble.

Thanks

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. no it doesn't go away, but

you feel better if you turn off the TV and DU for a couple of days...and maybe go outside.

[Ninga]

4. Sorry, but you may never feel better again

when it comes to politics.

I have supported Dems from Kennendy on. Voting for the Dem candidate in each presidential election since 1960.

Lots of good guys I supported who turned out to be losers.

If I voted my checkbook, I would vote GOP.
But I never have and never will.

I have always championed the underdog and have wanted to raise the standard of living for all Americans.

I care deeply and each day for those who have lost their lives in this unjust war....I mourn as if they were my own children.

I marched against Vietnam, I marched against Iraq.

Our leaders are not brave, nor creative.

I am depressed.

[fob]

13. If I voted my checkbook, I would vote GOP?????

Are you sure about that? Do a little googling for recessions and repukes and Clarence Swinney has some Big Dog vs. raygun stats where Bill blows him out of the water!

The old line that repukes are good for business/economy is just that - A LINE.

And to the original poster, you WILL feel better because you are on the CORRECT side, which gives one much satisfaction when others finally realize it.

VIVA DEMOCRATS!




Here's a line that's the truth - If you want to live like a republican, VOTE DEMOCRATIC!!

[mrgorth]

7. LOL!

I try to avoid the tube. Still.

[JasonBerry]

14. kick

This is well worth discussion.

[el_gato]

2. well

I was really active during the late reagan and all through the bush sr. years. Then Clinton got into office and I spent most of those 8 years getting drunk and partying. Now that we are back into the dark ages I am heavily involved again and often troubled. But I think we have reason to feel optimistic. Oh, and after a while you can get jaded and stop caring. But remember, the harder we fight now the better our future will be and I don't want to be an old man fighting these battles.
Although alot of our best work is done by the elderly these days so no slam to the older folks.

[Hoosier Democrat]

3. This too, shall pass...

I've been actively involved since college, and I share your frustration. Bush is like some Orwellian bad dream. What we need is the Left to FIGHT BACK!!!!!! For too long, we've just stood there and let them piss all over us.

Nothing wrong with giving the Right a taste of its own medicine. Print up bumper stickers with anti-Bush messages, write letters to your editorial page, volunteer for anti-Right candidates (not just Dems, as some of the Dems are nothing more than Appeasers **Daschle, McAuliffe**). Just KEEP THE PRESSURE ON!!!!!!!

Spread the stories about Bush going AWOL, Rush being a junkie, Cheney being a corporate criminal. If we are afraid to fight back, we deserve everything we get.

[Ninga]

5. Sorry cookie, but this too shall not pass.

Try living under Nixon and Regan......they just won't go away.

[texastoast]

6. Never never never give up

There are times when the wind gets knocked out of us. There are times when I say "I must not care so much anymore." There are times that I become completely misanthropic toward the whole of the stupid human race. These are times when I make some time to do extra yoga and breathe.

It's real normal when you give a shit about the world you are leaving behind for your kids (or someone else's kids).

Take yourself a break.

[JasonBerry]

8. This is a problem I can relate to

No question that existential angst is a problem for those who are, well, aware. It's easier to get lost in sports or entertainment (America's two drugs of choice) than it is in politics.

I have learned over the years not to take ** single events ** too seriously. Following everything closely and reacting with anger to every little thing breeds misery. Rather than be a reactionary, it's easier on your own psyche and blood pressure to pick your fights, not allow every headline to dictate your day and keep an eye on the big picture.

I was once a passionate leftist and found myself constantly in a state of upset. I found something wrong with everything and attributed everything wrong to capitalism, the ruling class, etc. After awhile, I moderated my views and the anger subsided. I think I learned one thing that really helped - even our most passionate opponents *usually* are not "evil" per se, but only viewing things through their own prism and offering different (though misguided in my view) solutions. This alone made a huge difference in how I saw politics and government in a day-to-day way. I found it easier to roll with the punches and see battles for what they are - battles. We win some, we lose some, and tomorrow morning - the sun still rises, just as it always has.

edit: I thought of one other thing - Something that really helped me was to focus on what I was FOR rather than what I was AGAINST. While it's helpful at times to attack, attack, attack -- it really helped me to stop focusing on what is WRONG with "them" and focus on what is RIGHT about my views. I got involved with a local group doing volunteer work and it really helped me feel as if I was doing something to help rather than always just being loud and angry. It truly helped. I still give about three hours twice a week to this group and it feels good to help make the world a better place -- one person at a time. Sounds simplistic, I know, but it helped me.

[John BigBootay]

9. I think you have to disconnect a little bit...

as a means of not driving yourself crazy. Realize that you are one man with one vote and one opinion and that you really cannot do much more than speak your mind, cast your vote and then sit back and watch the wheels grind.

Another thing that has helped me a LOT is to totally lose my hatred for the other side of whatever argument we happen to be on at the moment.

I look at my opposition as friends who are on the same team (America) but who have different goals and ideas.

Losing the hatred will make you feel SOOO much better, but it's probably the hardest thing you'll have to do.

[mrgorth]

10. Well

I can stand the McCains and the Snowes. It's not all republicans. I think I have some conservative views. It's the wing nuts.

[John BigBootay]

11. Absolutely--

But just remember that these folks are entitled to their opinion exactly as you are, and honestly I just can't hate someone for having a viewpoint that I think is flat-out wrong.

UNLESS I have evidence that shows that this person is a actually working to destroy America for some nefarius purpose.

I think wing-nuts love America as much as I do. If they are wrong and their wrongness is a "sin," then condemn the sin and not the sinner. Work to change a mind, even if it's only one mind throughout your life.

Change is slow. I think most of our rage and hatred comes from false expectations that we can change things overnight.

[JasonBerry]

12. I agree

with a lot of what you wrote.