JMO but I have a deep sense of foreboding that ....

[Blackhatjack]

... the opportunity to avoid a bloody fight in this country has passed even while we had an African American Democratic President in the White House and Democratic control of both Houses of Congress.

I am seeing things not reported by the so-called free press that demonstrate there has been a permanent passing of the standard of living we all took for granted just a few short years ago.

With the citizens united decision and the great accumulation of wealth in this country now in the hands of a relative few, I don't see the political system working to preserve the rights and opportunities we previously fought for and believed were decided once and for all.

Hope I am wrong ... but I have come to the conclusion that it is too late. You can't have a democracy where there is such an inequality of wealth distribution as we have now, and certainly not where there are no limits on anonymous political contributions.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. Depressing, isn't it?

[salinen]

2. it couldn't be more non-progressive

it's looking like 1930's Germany with a portion of the population willing to be good Germans (baggers).

[Greyhound]

3. K&R. We told you so, but why would any of them listen to us just because we're usually right? n/t

[Poboy]

4. We are going down in flames.

[Angry Dragon]

5. Into the Bowels of Hell

[AnArmyVeteran]

6. But on the 'bright' side I hear a lot of nice fiddle music coming from Washington.

I bet it's the same music the Titanic passengers heard just before they slipped into the freezing waters in the Atlantic ocean. First Rome, then the Titanic and now the USA. What's sad is those on the right are unwittingly cheering on the demise of our country. They will enjoy the corporate music playing until they realize they are the ones being played as fools by the very people who seek to harm or destroy them.

[Angry Dragon]

8. I wonder what the history books will say.

I only see two paths
Either sliding into ancient history or a lot of blood

[WhiteTara]

13. I see nuclear night

where the cloud just covers the sun and all dies.

[Blackhatjack]

7. WE are past that point ....

When your house catches fire, every minute it takes to begin firefighting is critical because there is a point past which no amount of firefighting will save the home.

And in our scenario we have Republicans in charge of the House who will make sure the firefighters don't show up at all.

[Hydra]

9. We've been past that point since at least 2006

Our mistake was thinking the Dems weren't in on it too. They did a great job of keeping the train going.

"Impeachment is off the table"

"FISA needs updating"

"We don't torture"

"Terrorism is a significant issue"

"Blah blah blah...same stuff...blah blah..."

[Blackhatjack]

10. Education for lower income families is poised to take a big hit....

NC is facing a general budget shortfall of $3.5 bil, and while $210 mil in grants were awarded last year there is only $34 mil available for this year. And in this environment there are more families with unemployed parents which have raised the number of students in need of help.

On the high school level we are facing thousands of teachers who are likely to be laid off, and Mecklenburg County School system is planning to CLOSE 9-10 Schools!

IF education was the great equalizer for building the Middle Class, it is about to take a step backward.

Add to NC's woes, Republicans took control of the State Legislature and they are planning to cut every program that these people depend upon to survive.

It's not looking good with Washington Repubs planning to stop any attempts at more stimulus spending.

[Blackhatjack]

11. Just the increase in use of food stamps, high real unemployment rate, and foreclosure rate...

all indicate the state of the working Middle Class... and it is not good.

I think back to how the bailout for Wall Street firms amounted to a gift of taxpayer funds directly to them, when the Government could have put that $$ in the hands of homeowners and they could have paid it to the Banks and brought their mortgages current .... which would have reduced the foreclosure rates, and likely kept claims for assistance to the Govt from growing to the level we see today.

However this way, the Wall Street Banks got their taxpayer bailout $$ from the Govt at rates of almost nothing, were not required to lend those funds to small businesses and individuals, and they were free to foreclose on delinquent homeowners.

If you are a Wall Street Banker, it surely has been a wonderful life!!

[Little Star]

12. k&r

[Catshrink]

14. I've been feeling this too.

[laughingliberal]

15. I'm not giving up the fight but I do think it's 'stick a fork in us, we're done' time. nt

[WillyT]

16. Yep... From Hope & Change To Foreboding, In The Wink Of A Eye...

:evilfrown:

:kick: & R !!!

[donheld]

17. Sadly K & R