Do you ever feel like just giving up?

[ThomWV]

No one in the Bush Administration is going to pay any price for the crimes they have committed. No one is going to be impeached. Our Representatives are not going to stand up to the obstructionist Republicans in Congress. Our top tier candidates for the next election are lack-luster opportunistic politicians who do not have an ounce of leadership between them and dam near no experience either. The economy has gone to hell in a handbasket and not one rational plan to save it has been advanced by either party and in the meantime an insane, let me say that again, an insane war continues. The Chief Executive dishonors the nation and can not be trusted to tell the truth on any subject. The executive Agencies are in shambles. There is not one single reason on earth to think that the 2008 election, no matter which candidate on either side wins, will make one iota of difference. Abortion, gun rights, gay marriage, and the Christian Church don't have a god dam thing to do with it either, we have simply failed ourselves.

[NC_Nurse]

1. Yes, but I don't.

Sometimes I need to take a break from the bullshit and stop watching the news for a while. :)

[Breeze54]

8. Same here...turn off the "news" and the TV and take a break but never quit!

[OneGrassRoot]

2. I'll jump on the downward spiral....

as I feel it frequently myself lately.

Everything you wrote lays a foundation on which other cataclysmic situations build on my anxiety: global warming, extreme drought here in the Southeast, the foreclosure crisis, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, the neglect of NOLA...need I go on? I FEEL everyone else's anxiety, whether I frequent DU or simply go to the grocery store.

I've never in my life felt so strongly that our fate is truly, to a large degree, in the hands of how the US political/judicial process plays out from now until the 2008 election. There are a few of our candidates who I believe can turn the tide, but without accountability with THIS administration, it's tenuous. Something HUGE needs to happen to make sure this never happens again and that we regain our integrity. A sea change.

[Joe Fields]

47. Something huge DID happen a little over a year ago.

We thought it was a sea change then, but it turned out to be nothing more than a big FUCK YOU to the citizenry.

[immoderate]

3. Yep. That wave comes over me sometimes.

My big fear now is that Bush will somehow not leave office.

It's like a bad dream. You run as fast as you can, but your feet can't get any traction. You yell at the top of your voice, and no one can hear you. I write to my representative several times a week, but she says her constituents are not interested in impeachment. And when she runs for reelection she'll be unopposed. People should be hearing the alarms, but they're indifferent.

--IMM

[AndyTiedye]

18. They Are Not Indifferent, They Have Given Up

My big fear now is that Bush will somehow not leave office.

He probably won't if we win. If Huckabee wins we may wish he hadn't.

It's like a bad dream. You run as fast as you can, but your feet can't get any traction. You yell at the top of your voice, and no one can hear you. I write to my representative several times a week, but she says her constituents are not interested in impeachment. And when she runs for reelection she'll be unopposed. People should be hearing the alarms, but they're indifferent.

They are not indifferent. They have given up.

[GreenPartyVoter]

44. Me too :^(

[porphyrian]

4. Often, but then I get more pissed off and spiteful. -n/t

[bamademo]

5. I've been without my computer at home for 3 weeks...

...and to be honest I felt better because I haven't been able to read DU. It's blocked at work but I can read Bartcop. He couldn't post for several days due to an ice storm. It felt good to take a break from politics. I didn't realize how burnt out and sick of it I was. I hate the Repubs but I'm really disgusted with the Democratic leadership as of late. Plus, I really hate this time of the year since I despise Xmas.

[AlCzervik]

6. of course, all the time, but i don't, i can't.

my kid has already lived through 7 years of Bush world, i have to do better for her and everybody else.

[bdamomma]

31. ...

we have to make it better for them our children, they do not deserve to be raised in a fascist country.

[FiveGoodMen]

7. Just a minute ago! Article saying the ONLY reason for not wanting HRC in the WH is sexism.

I feel like giving up every time I see crap like that!

[sendero]

49. I believe..

.. that the only reason many people support HRC is BECAUSE she is a female, and that is just as sexist.

I don't like HRC because I dont' trust ANYONE who places personal ambition miles above everything else in their life.

[samplegirl]

9. Daily........

and living in O-H-I-O does not help! Doom & gloom here with not much uplifting news. Seems like every month its another factory closing.
The Republican have ruined my State!!! Election Fraud to me equals imprisonment. They are coming out with all the proof...and yet Blackwell & Taft are still walking free.
Diebold still operating at the polls. When will it all just STOP? I would like to get up one morning and just read something positive happening in Ohio.

[graywarrior]

10. Sometimes. . . and then * shows up in tv and I'm back in the game.

[DFW]

11. Nope. Never

I have been stationed overseas now for 25 years+
I speak 9 languages, and I speak with people in many
countries of many cultures, and from many walks of
life, some of which don't even exist back home in
the States. They ALL want to respect us, and like us,
and cant for the life of them figure out how we ended
up with such a horror government, and are universally
waiting for us to change it. Better we do it ourselves.

Back in 2000, someone from India remarked that the office
of President of the USA was too important a position to be
left to the American electorate. The outcome of 2000 showed
him to be spot on. The world deserved and wanted Al Gore.
For that matter, much of it still does.

So do I, for the record.

[PoiBoy]

12. Some inspiration...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2506786

[undeterred]

13. Hope is a choice.

And its a verb. Its taken me all my life to learn that. So I choose to keep hoping and focusing on the positive. The darkness has not overcome the light yet.

[Stuart G]

41. This is very special...

Hope is a verb..
Sure, I think about it all the time to. giving up that is.
..We can choose to give up, or continue on. .
........How do we choose today?

[undeterred]

42. Its kind of a fundamental life choice

like getting out of bed in the morning instead of being depressed or choosing to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. I've tried it both ways. And I didn't understand until I chose it that it really is a choice, just as joy is a choice, just as peace is a choice, just as forgiveness is a choice. And it isn't something you choose once, but over and over and over again. So it doesn't mean you never feel despair but it does mean you pick yourself up and start all over again.

I like the Natalie Cole song, "Pick yourself up"

Pick youself up, take a deep breath, dust yourself off

And start all over again, nothing's impossible I have found

For when my chin is on the ground, I pick myself up

Dust myself off, and start all over again, don't lose your confidence if you slip

Be grateful for a pleasant trip, just pick yourself up, and dust yourself off

And start all over again, work like a soul inspired, 'til the battle of the day is won

You may be sick and tired, but you'll be a man my son

Will you remember the famous men, who had to fall to rise again

So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again

[Mythsaje]

14. No.

I'm not dead.

[ileus]

15. No way, we both have good jobs, a home and our family.

[peacetheonlyway]

16. They will all pay a price

WE THE PEOPLE


will make sure outside of congress and justice department.

WE THE PEOPLE
the really pissed off and riled up citizenry will make sure they pay for their
crimes.


the phone call to the hague happened last month.

wait and watch.

these assholess will see their day in court.

these traitors will serve between bars.

mark my word.

[bdamomma]

32. I am sure they will pay big time.

welcome to DU:hi:

[Echo In Light]

17. Try reading some Noam Chomsky n/t

[Echo In Light]

19. Informative overview clip of Chomsky:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=676452061991429040&q=noam+chomsky&total=1413&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

[blues90]

20. It does cross my mind

When I consider all the horrors we have seen in the last 7 years alone . To name a few , this insane occupation and Katrina . Then you look at how the job market has fallen to complete garbage and how the US is now free trading with many countries now include Peru and then Columbia next and S Korea , this will kill what we have left as far as even a hope of a chance of making more than the alotted min wage in this Global screwed up so called economy .

The people Who lived through Katrina are in one word FORESAKEN . this could happen anywhere where the land is worth big money , any coast and who will be there to speak for you .

The only people who are out of danger are those who now have large bank accounts that are secure .

The belief that all humans are created equal is a myth in this day and age , it only applies to those who feel it in their hearts .

[AndyTiedye]

21. It Doesn't Make Any Difference if You Care Nothing For The Right to Choose or Religious Freedom

Abortion, gay marriage and the Christian church have everything to do with it.

If the Repiggies win, they get another nutbar on the Supreme Court:
Roe v. Wade overturned.
Griswold v. Connecticut overturned.
Lawrence v. Texas overturned.
Separation of Church and State eliminated.
shall I go on?


Seems like a pretty big difference to me. Our nominee is going to need all the votes he or she can get to win this.

We have the weakest field of Democratic candidates in our lifetimes. Even if they win somehow, they are not going to be able to do much more than slow the bleeding. Likely the Roadblock Repiglickons will prevent even that.

We really need Al Gore. Without him, I don't see any way forward. We haven't got anybody else with that kind of vision, the ability to communicate it, and the experience and skill to execute it.

draft gore!

[Peace Candidate]

22. WE are the people we have been waiting for

We cannot give up. WE owe it to our forefathers and to our children to fight to save this once great nation.

DUers on this very site, need to stand up and Run for Congress- to take it back from the Corporations.
http://peacecandidates.com/

[kentuck]

23. Sometimes politics is like religion...

You gotta have faith. You have to believe that there is a better life. Jesus will ride in on a white horse, saying all the right things, and inspiring us to great deeds.

[mmonk]

24. Yes. The only problem though

is we can't let this country continue this slide into hell. We have to fight it every step of the way.

[behonest]

25. Hope is on the way

It just takes a while.

Don't worry-the pendulum is finally swinging back to the left.

The next election will be fun.

Wait and see.

[dysfunctional press]

26. you forgot about peak oil and global warming-

both of which will FORCE change on us quicker than we could ever expect action from congress. i'm guessing that long before 2020 those new cafe regulations will be completely meaningless anyway.

i gave up awhile back- now i'm just going to enjoy the show...

VERY interesting times ahead.

[TheWatcher]

27. All The Time.

But you cannot, my friend. You cannot.

Make a difference in your loved one's lives, your friends lives, anywhere you can. Get involved as much as you can from the Local Level. Live well, and by YOUR terms, not THEIRS. That in itself is one of the strongest forms of resistance there is.

Even if your cause is Futile, go down swinging.

Never Give Up. Never Give In.

Resist.

I can learn to resist
Anything but temptation
I can learn to co-exist
With anything but pain

I can learn to compromise
Anything but my desires
I can learn to get along
With all the things I cant explain

I can learn to resist
Anything but frustration
I can learn to persist
With anything but aiming low

I can learn to close my eyes
To anything but injustice
I can learn to get along
With all the things I dont know

You can surrender
Without a prayer
But never really pray
Pray without surrender

You can fight
Without ever winning
But never ever win
Without a fight

Rush- Resist

[Golden Raisin]

28. Yes. Frequently.

And I think the Founding Fathers, wherever they are, are weeping.

[Perry Logan]

29. I recommend you avoid the media news. It exists to make you feel that way.

[bdamomma]

30. Never quit, this is what they want us to do

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY!!! and if it ever comes to violence so be it!

[lonestarnot]

33. To the short of it NO!

[rucky]

34. Consider this:

The reason why Conyers, etc, have become lukewarm on impeachment is because they plan to indict once Bush is out of office. There are two reasons for this:

1) Criminal indictment when they're out of office would be easier - once Bush no longer has all those executive roadblocks at his disposal. A failed impeachment would hurt a criminal case.

2) Bush has power to declare Martial Law for pretty much any reason he sees fit. Everything's in place for it. Funny how everybody's speculating that Congress is mute because they're being individually blackmailed, when what's happening is that WE'RE being blackmailed. If impeachment comes down, expect troops in the streets of America and the arrest of several high-profile officials. Depending on what's going on internally, it could be even uglier.

If that's the threat, Congress can't even whisper impeachment. They can't show their hand, either.

[bunkerbuster1]

35. Not since the week-after-the-2004-election

I hit bottom then, but I resolved to never go back and to stay as focused as possible.

We still have plenty of power to effect change, and I see examples of change being effected all the time, sometimes locally, sometimes nationally, and sometimes globally.

You do not have the luxury of giving up if you actually care about any of this. But if you must, please get the hell out of everyone else's way.

[Z_I_Peevey]

36. Might as well stick with it.

We've come this far. We're already on the lists. And I kinda like the company on our side.

[Greyhound]

37. Already given up, now looking for an "underground rail road" to escape.

Everything you've listed, and more, shows that if history is any indication, we have precious little time to prepare for our long night.

[bobbolink]

48. If you find the tracks, could you please clue me in???

I dare not think beyond tomorrow.... let alone next week.

If I just ceased to exist, that would be fine.... but more suffering is not what I have the capacity for.

It's funny.... I've actually thought of the term "underground railroad" in this very sense. As you can probably tell from my sig.

Glad you mentioned this.

I'm afraid the lights at the end of the tunnel will be the freight train coming head on.....

:hi:

[spanone]

38. sure, but then what do you do? gotta fight the bastids

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

39. I gave up on trusting politicians to change anything long ago.

Politicians' first and foremost ambition is to get and keep power. All else is merely adjuncts to that ambition.

Change only occurs when the public clamor reaches levels that politicians are threatened with loss of power that they act..for good or evil.

"Trusting politicians" is an oxymoron in a democratic society.

[NeedleCast]

40. No

[bobbolink]

43. Every day.

And especially when I see evidence of how little poverty matters to those not IN poverty.

[fascisthunter]

45. No Way... Our Government May Be Messed Up But We are Making Gains

Grassroots is stronger than ever. And we are being proven right on every issue out there.

[Libby2]

46. Yes, yes, yes.

But I won't, I will die trying.