Saying Goodbye to Politics

[donco6]

I put more into this election than any in my lifetime. I'm 44 years old. I gave way more money, spent way more time, talked to way more people - and I know you all did too. I saw many more people at the polls than I ever have before.

The sad fact is, it didn't make a hill of beans difference.

Everywhere you look, the Taliban-esque wing of the Republican party made big gains. The more conservative you were, the more likely you were to be elected. There were a few anomalies - like here in CO with Salazar - but VERY few. Everywhere an anti-gay-marriage amendment made it on the ballot, it was passed overwhelmingly. Even Daschle was beaten, and that's practically unheard of.

So, I have to ask myself, what's the point, really? When people have lost the ability to be rational about their leadership choices, what is the point of a campaign? Why debate at all? It obviously didn't change anyone's mind. We had a masterful speaker utterly trouncing a hapless, brain-dead moron before a national audience THREE TIMES, and people *still* voted for him en masse. It's been revealed that he killed over 100,000 people for no reason at all, and THAT wasn't enough to make people change their mind. His entire campaign was based on "vote for me, and you'll have more of the same" and even THAT didn't persuade anyone to vote for someone else.

So, one has to at least wonder, what's the point? We've worked as hard as possible, and it didn't matter at all. So how can we think that the next election will be any different? What ELSE could POSSIBLY come out about the Republicans that would make anyone change their mind? The obviously like what they see - and in fact, I think they would like things to be even MORE conservative. Jail for gays? Sure, why not? Outlaw all abortion? Immediately, if not sooner. Dismantle public education? Why haven't we already done it!?

I don't think I'm being overly dramatic. All of these things have already been proposed in various parts of the country. Here in my solidly red state, we're already well on the road to abolishing public education, with more charters per capita than any other state. We barely got rid of Amendment 2 with a court case, but it could rear up again anytime. I just see it coming, and it's an ugly, ugly storm.

So, what to do? Well, I think spending time on political campaigns is teetering on the brink of being an utter waste of time. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm not sure why. I have no rational reason to think otherwise - perhaps it's just nostalgia keeping me from going there. I also think that for a gay man like me, I suddenly have a lot more concern about my personal safety and whether I should be in fear of losing my job (I work in a public school system). I honestly worry about another disease outbreak that will be linked to gays, and that we'll be rounded up into "quarantine camps" for everyone's safety. Or that some uberRW legislator will pass a law outlawing gay public employees. Will the next ballot initiative be the one that strips me of any rights I have at all? Who knows?

So, I'm beginning to hunker down. I'll think long and hard before exposing myself to further scrutiny. No more rainbow stickers in my windows; rainbow flags on my porch. Gay pride? Well, maybe that's OK for people who have nothing to lose. I prefer my head right where it is, thank you. And when it comes time to flee, I'll not be making the mistake of the Finzi-Continis. I'll be on the first plane to Somewhere Else.

[patrice]

1. Issues, issues, issues, issues . . . .

Consider being a subject matter expert on something useful and sharing that with like minded souls.

Politics be damned (for a while at least)!

[byronm]

2. It wasn't all for nothing.

Considering the world we live in, the turnout was great. Our voices were heard more then ever - but so were the repugs.

Giving up is exactly what we can't afford to do.

Take a vacation - sure. Clear your mind and release your anger - MOST DEFINATELY.

Give up? F**K NO!

[AP]

3. You'll be back. They always come crawling back to politics.

[puddycat]

4. That is exactly what the enemy has hoped for--complete resignation

I don't condemn you for it, but I feel sorry that you feel that way. There is always a way to resist, even if you do it silently.

[displacedtexan]

5. There is no cheneying way that America elected more Nazis!

This is sooooooooo 1972, 1980, and 1984 (not the novel).

From 1980 until 1992, I did as you're about to do: hunkered down, ignored the network news, and devoted my social action activities to individual causes.

I was also a teacher, which meant that I kept my political opinions
to myself.

Choose your friends wisely in the days ahead, donco6, but don't deprive individual causes your talent and dedication!

[Memekiller]

6. I understand the sentiment, believe me...

When I look deep inside myself, and question whether it might be easier to give up, I find that I am simply incapable of that. The stakes are too high. And we may very well become a one party state. But what it comes down to, in the end, is that it's a fight worth carrying on, even if we lose. This is not the country I love, the country it could be, and it means to much to me to simply abandon her.

There's a saying I love: "The only causes worth fighting for are lost causes." Winning's not the point. It's about what's right, and wrong. And no matter how much I may want to, I can't bring myself to stand by as the forces of wrong prevail. That would be worse than giving into dispair.

[Kellis]

10. I feel like

Democracy is dead.There is no hope anymore.The religious fanatics now run this country.

[carolinalady]

7. for three years the people of this nation have been

subjected to fear messages on an almost daily basis. Some subtle, some direct, but always there. It was the most masterful experiment in mass mind control ever to be executed. Every major holiday, any time an event was coming that could allow us to relax and feel joy. They were there: orange alerts, "increased chatter", threats to people at work and at school. This has been ingrained into the very fabric of our being even if it is subconsciously. This was a battle that began way before we had even decided who to pick to fight it.
Ok so what happens now. Of course no one can predict, but I suspect that Osama's group will make some kind of stand again in our country. I hope that fear is replaced with anger--not only at the terrorists, but at the very root cause of the problem. The interfering, arogant party that has divided us from our allies and worse our backyard neighbors.

[Callisto]

18. I wanted to quit too

but really I just need a break. We all worked hard, and we nearly won- but it is true, our side needs to learn how to talk to the people-even I am tired of the some of the progressive messages because they are so unattainable. Our side needs to say what it means, not mush mouth it all.....otherwise it does no good at all. Hang in there everyone- don't watch any TV until after the swearing in of the doofus. If you must watch TV, keep it funny- I am sure Jon Stewart will comfort us. :-)

[Eurobabe]

8. Amen brutha...

Today, I think of my life "pre-politics," when I was stupid and just voted because I 'liked the person.' Seems the more I know about everything, the more dysfunctional it makes me, because I get sucked into this illusion that I can actually change things.

I want my pre-delusional life back again! I want to do things that are meaningful and fulfilling. I can't afford to waste 4 more years of my life worrying, fretting and making myself sick for this, or I will die of cancer by 50 --eaten from the inside out because of the negative energy.

So, after some soul-searching, I think I will get off the boards, stop reading the news, my ultimate fantasy of course would be to 'go off the grid,' but that ain't gonna happen. But man, I need something positive in my life, this shit ain't cutting it anymore...

So photography, and my music, here I come! Let there be light...peace -Crozet

[donco6]

12. I'm going to a counselor - partly due to my fear overload.

Seeing him once a week for the past few weeks. Never thought I'd have to do that, but I was getting to where I couldn't sleep, or I had such horrible nightmares, I'd wake up. Seeing Kerry losing, and the overall attitude of the country toward the values *I* hold dear, well, it's not been encouraging.

[sunnybrook]

23. let your creative energy take you...

I understand the sentiment. As extremely sad and angry as I feel right now, I won't give up, but I sure respect anyone else's decision that way. I find myself today envying the huge number of politcally apathetic Americans. How easy that life must be. Was there an election? Oh, whatever.... but unfortunately, I don't think I can ever be that way. I can't unlearn what I know.

[Gigi]

9. I agree

I feel your pain and anger. In 2000 I stuffed envelopes, went door-to-door, made phone calls, offered to drive folks to the polls and donated big time. At the end of it I felt bruised and battered and betrayed. This year I donated a lumpsum to Kerry early on ($1000)
and voted. I still feel used and abused. This country feels like
alien territory to me. How in the hell can people see Bush as a fit leader??!! What's worse, I don't see any hopeful signs for any change. Yesterday validated all of Bush's actions. Not finding WMD didn't matter; thousands of dead soldiers and Iraqi civilians didn't matter; massive job loss didn't matter; declining healthcare didn't matter. If I could pick up stakes and move out of the country I would. I don't fly the flag anymore. I don't sing the Star Spangled Banner at sporting events anymore. That's something "the other side" does. These last four years and now the next four will be noted as one of the darkest periods in our history. The citizens of the US
had a chance to make things right again and they failed miserably.
I'll always be proud I voted for Kerry!

[donco6]

14. I have trouble with the Pledge of Allegiance, as well.

We have to say it at every school board meeting, which I'm required to attend. Everytime I think of it, I remember what I *used* to think my country was all about, and what it's become. I'm not sure I can pledge to the flag anymore, if the "republic for which it stands" is really represented by the - as you say - fascists.

[Az_lefty]

11. I know your feeling...

the fascists have it, in fact they have more power now then they ever did. I personally hope they screw it up royally and quickly. BTW...to me there are no more Republicans or Neo-con's, they are simply fascists and I will refer to them as that from now on.

[Callisto]

22. yes watch them

Watch what happens to the fascists. They are so drunk with power NOW that eventually they will screw up so badly, we will get to mock them at thier trials.

Half the voters were scared shitless so they voted Bush- scared of gays, scared of Osama ...some home of the brave. Home of the simpering chickenshits is more like it.

[Mountainman]

13. Maybe you should move to a state that is more tolerant. I'd be proud to

have you as a fellow Californian. My sister-in-law is lesbian and I often wonder what it would be like for her if she lived in a red state.

And you worked hard and deserve a rest. It's OK to want to pass the baton on to someone else next time.

Thanks for all the hard work you put in.

[hippiechick]

15. I am going to look for land in Montana.

Build a cabin for me and Hippiedog.
No phone.
No cable.

Gotta heal these 14 years worth of political battle wounds.

I honestly don't know if I have another campaign's worth left in me.



:hippie:

[Callisto]

24. Sounds good

if only a person could make a living there....

[Generator]

16. I understand, who isn't scared to death

Maybe that's why we are so numb.

Bush and his cronies did all this with a supposedly active and free press. They had propagangda galore, but the press was still there.

Imagine what they could do if the media rolls away and dies.

Democracy is in trouble. I don't think we should kid ourselves about that.

It's the constitution, stupid.

Just because the Majority (if it really is that) want gays to have no rights, or want religion ensrhrined, doesn't mean it's what this country is about.

The media cow to the majority. The majority is wrong. This country is going downhill. Lying to yourself doesn't make it okay.

[bubbismith]

17. Can't be much better said....

<[So, I have to ask myself, what's the point, really? When people have lost the ability to be rational about their leadership choices, what is the point of a campaign? Why debate at all? It obviously didn't change anyone's mind. We had a masterful speaker utterly trouncing a hapless, brain-dead moron before a national audience THREE TIMES, and people *still* voted for him en masse. It's been revealed that he killed over 100,000 people for no reason at all, and THAT wasn't enough to make people change their mind. His entire campaign was based on "vote for me, and you'll have more of the same" and even THAT didn't persuade anyone to vote for someone else. >]

hapless, brain-dead moron... that appears to be what they want!

[leyton]

19. Today is the first time I have doubted politics.

I have chosen politics/poli sci as a tentative career, and though I have toyed with the idea that I might do other things because I love those other things more, I have never been so disappointed in this country as I was last night. I have always thought that we can achieve great things in government, but this is clearly not to be. Today, for the first time, I thought to myself, "Maybe I won't go into politics because I can't make a difference."

[donco6]

25. Hey, hey, don't let my ranting change your career choice.

I'm obviously not being completely rational right now. Take a few days, as I will. I just had to pour out my heart somewhere.

[sunnybrook]

27. I'm a pol/sci major ... my experience yesterday

I returned to college after 20 years and am majoring in pol/sci. Yesterday I was a Democratic poll watcher and it was an awesome experience. I felt like part of our Democracy (before I realized that there would be massive vote fraud in FL and OH, of course). When I got home and ready for the party, I tuned in the news, which I hadn't heard from being in the polling place all day. At about 5 our time things were looking extremely good for KE. They were portraying the Repubs as very somber, etc... between that and my day's work I thought, I am so glad I'm a pol/sci major. This is awesome. Then when all this crap happened and I became heartbroken I was like "Screw this, I need to change my major! this sucks" lol

[Politicub]

20. I hear you

In GA we were the first to go red last night, and we had an anti-gay amendment on the ballot. Of course it overwhelmingly passed. I expected it to, though.

I'm going through the same issues regarding getting out of politics for a while. At a minimum, I'm not going to talk about it at home with my partner. He's sick of me going on and on about Bush and the GOP. And based on last night, I don't blame him.

I got so wrapped up in working for a Kerry win that I think I lost touch with reality. I had an inkling of hope that maybe my country could change for the better. But reality reared its ugly head, and the bigotry, hate and fear won out again. Does it always?

So now the most important thing to me is taking care of my partner and keeping us safe. I have to figure out what that means, but I won't sit idly by while they fire up the trains to take us to camps. I fear the there will be a Dem backlash against gays, and we'll become a convenient reason for Kerry's defeat. I've already seen a ton of thread on here about how the election was decided on Guns, God and Gays.

I just learned that I have enough skills to immigrate to Canada, and that I can take my partner with me. If it comes to that, even with how much I love America and the potential our country has, I will leave in a heartbeat.

[Politicub]

21. I hear you

In GA we were the first to go red last night, and we had an anti-gay amendment on the ballot. Of course it overwhelmingly passed. I expected it to, though.

I'm going through the same issues regarding getting out of politics for a while. At a minimum, I'm not going to talk about it at home with my partner. He's sick of me going on and on about Bush and the GOP. And based on last night, I don't blame him.

I got so wrapped up in working for a Kerry win that I think I lost touch with reality. I had an inkling of hope that maybe my country could change for the better. But reality reared its ugly head, and the bigotry, hate and fear won out again. Does it always?

So now the most important thing to me is taking care of my partner and keeping us safe. I have to figure out what that means, but I won't sit idly by while they fire up the trains to take us to camps. I fear the there will be a Dem backlash against gays, and we'll become a convenient reason for Kerry's defeat. I've already seen a ton of thread on here about how the election was decided on Guns, God and Gays.

I just learned that I have enough skills to immigrate to Canada, and that I can take my partner with me. If it comes to that, even with how much I love America and the potential our country has, I will leave in a heartbeat.

[mr_binklesworth]

26. 4 more years of pre-renaissance politics!!!

I mean, really, it's like taking a step back into the dark ages, where science, understanding, and sound economic policy give way to ignorance, fear, and further stratification.

The truth of the matter is - most people are just too busy or too apathetic to do any research into who's really the best candidate.

I don't understand how we could lose like this. I usually have little faith in human nature, but this is just awful. We lost to issues that cut to the most primal of fears, and I thought we were beyond that. But then again, that's what makes us progressive.


"Quick to judge, quick to anger
slow to understand.
Ignorance and predjudice
and fear walk and in hand"
- Rush "Witch Hunt"

[xkenx]

28. HOPE IS ON THE WAY,

short of Bill Clinton being able to run again.... If we look at the places where W picked up his win, it was rural areas and "flyover"
states where he did even better than 4 years ago. All the commentary
suggests Kerry was not seen as relating to them. Of all the candidates or Kerry surrogates, the one who best stood up to Bush all along has been Wes Clark---Arkansan, humble beginnings, war hero, General, leader. This could be seen back in the primaries, but he was shut out by the Repug-controlled media who feared him and by the Dem. establishment who couldn't control him. In this campaign, he has proved himself to be a true Democrat.Now we need Wes Clark even more to lead us out of the wilderness. Let's start working towards Clark '08