Lost faith--what things don't you believe in any more?

[leftofthedial]

God?

The Democratic Party?

Democracy?

America?

The innate goodness of your fellow man?

A spouse, ex, significant other?

[devilgrrl]

1. Truth, Justice, the American Way

eom

[Jose Diablo]

57. Yes, Superman and that whole Legion of Justice was just

so much hogwash.

I am still holding out hope for Wonder Woman though.

[Gloria]

2. My dog. He was a stray and I've been afraid he'd run away if he

ever got loose. Today as I walked him, I lost grip of his leash and he took off after a stray dog. They ran away out of my sight. I followed around the corner and asked two people if they had seen a dog. They pointed toward a side street. I started shouting..."Slick! Slick!" and as I got down to the street I could seem him coming toward me, leash in tow. He came right up to me and we cuddled. It made me so happy!!!

[Sterling]

9. Nice story

Sounds like he is your dog now.

[leftofthedial]

23. I still believe in my dog

Dogs are great

[arwalden]

3. Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, Jesus, Gods, Ghosts.

[leftofthedial]

24. Is that chronological?

it sounds like a roadmap to the loss of innocence

[RaleighNCDUer]

40. Could be for me.

Except I'd eliminat sandman (never believed) and move the tooth fairy after both santa and e. bunny -- had physical proof of TF's existance.

[soothsayer]

4. We've been allowed to believe in Democracy, but all this time

it's just been a thin veil for the oligarchy and military-defense-intelligence complex that has controlled the US. It's just alot more obvious now, but it's been true for a really long time.

[AgadorSparticus]

51. that has been a rude awakening for me also. i really thought this

election year was going to be different with such an asswipe in office. we were at a critical juncture and i thought the democratic party was in the midst of REAL CHANGE. so i bought into the UNITY thing too. ugh. it's unbelievably disappointing to see the true colors unfold.

[txaslftist]

5. I'll tell you what I do believe in.

I BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ON THE VERGE OF MAKING A COMEBACK.

I BELIEVE THAT THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS AFRAID OF US.

I BELIEVE THEY WILL PULL EVERY DIRTY TRICK OF DISINFORMATION, DISTORTION, CHEATING AND LYING THEY ARE CAPABLE OF TO DEFEAT US.

I BELIEVE WE WILL WIN.

I BELIEVE IN DU.

I BELIEVE IN YOU.

[Maat]

6. Thanks, txaslftist!

We'll be O.K.

[leftofthedial]

26. delete--glitchy dupe

don't know what happened.

[leftofthedial]

27. I also believe

I am now far less sure of how we will win.

Unfortunately, I no longer believe without reservation that the Democratic Party is the home of the "good guys" politically.

[RaleighNCDUer]

43. It's not the party, it's the ideals.

We need a statement of ideals, and a program for implementing them, as the repubs did with their contract on america. Though I am very happy voting against those guys, I'd be happier yet if we had a clearly defined program, and candidates supporting that program, that I could vote for.

Like universal healthcare (not healthcare insurance, which just props up the insurance industry)

Like a living minimum wage.

Like support for unions and the right of workers to collectively bargain. (here in NC I am represented, as a state employee, by an employee's association which cannot bargain, nor can we strike. Needless to say, our salaries are 25% below the norm.)

I try to remain optimistic.

[leftofthedial]

45. are the democrats a party of ideals?

or a party of people?

I saw people standing up to endorse fascism and systematic disenfranchisement yesterday in congress.

[Red State Rebel]

7. The two party system....

They are way too much alike - we desperately need a third party.

[leftofthedial]

28. third party hell

we need a second party

[Red State Rebel]

36. ROFL! You are so right!!! n/t

[Ladyhawk]

8. Pretty much everything you stated. :) n/t

[SmokingJacket]

10. Nothing. I've been a cynic since I was born.

When things exceed my low expectations, I'm so fricking happy.

I'm thrilled about Boxer. If she were right here, I'd kiss her on the lips.

My husband: what a guy!

I still feel like we're doomed. If I get to live out my full life-expectancy, I'll be thrilled beyond belief.

[driver8]

19. Smoking Jacket -- I am a cynic also

I can't help it. I try to look at the glass as half full but it always looks half empty to me. I never expect much from people and therefore, I am seldom disappointed. On the other hand, when people come through I am elated.

I feel like this country is fucked beyond belief and I am afraid of what the next four years are going to bring. But, the good thing is that there is DU and people who care...

Maybe the glass if half full after all.

[misanthrope]

55. Hold on now...

...How can you be a cynic if your expectations are that low?

George Carlin once said, "Scratch a cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist." And I can tell you that is certainly descriptive of myself and other cynics I personally know.

I know that people can be "better" than they are. It's not an impossibility and certainly not too difficult, but so many don't even try very hard.

If I thought that people weren't capable of anything better than what I see about me, I would have no reason to be disappointed, no reason to be down on their behavior and choices.

I'm not disgusted by the fact that the pine tree in my front yard is not dripping ice cream rather than sap. It's not supposed to, it's a freakin' pine tree. It's merely doing what it can and nothing more or less. It is being a pine.

I am disgusted, however, when I see someone treat others with indignation and humiliation because I KNOW they can do better.

Being a cynic should mean you believe in people's potential more than their realization, not the other way around.

[cybildisobedience]

11. I;ve completely lost faith (hope?) that the media might save us.

In fact, it's been my biggest disappointment these past ten years.
The ONLY thing that sustained me was the hope that this monster, Bush, would be exposed for the evil cretin he is.
He has been, but not in this country.
All over the world, people see him the way DUers see him.
Thanks to our corrupt, useless media, so many Americans see him as a moral, Christian man.
It's a disgrace.
Worst of all, without a vigorous, watchdog media, there is no hope of election reform either.

[cruadin]

13. I feel the same about the cable and broadcast news...

networks---they are in the tank, (for either the repugs or the bottom line/profits) and the truth be damned.

I stay optimistic though, because the internet gives us forums like DU where the truth is heard and shared. As long as we have that, then the truth WILL win out eventually.

[Nadienne]

38. I've lost faith in the main stream media.

I no longer believe that what is newsworthy makes the news; I no longer believe that what makes the news is necessarily newsworthy; and if something makes the news, the corporate news media promotes apathy, or even worse, promotes the corporate agenda.

[stanwyck]

44. agree

the media is now populated with robots who can't think for themselves and only care about serving their masters. Their profession is in a freefall. Cronkite, Reasoner, and Murrow have been replaced with O'Reilly and Blitzer. What a descent.

[Az]

12. I would suggest that faith is

That which you come to believe you are supposed to believe in. Happy are those who's beliefs and faith match up. For if they don't it can be quite distressful.

When we lose faith in something it is likely because of a major emotional event. If the impact of the event has some bearing on your beliefs it can shift them dramatically. If they move far enough out of line with your faith then it causes a crisis of faith. Depending on which way you go at that point (often dependent on support structures and those around you) you may lose your faith all together. And though it can be tramatic some people claim it is a freeing thing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. fair elections

[leftofthedial]

30. I'm beginning to wonder if they've ever been honest

in my lifetime

[toddaa]

15. Cubs win the World Series!

I still believe!!!

[leftofthedial]

29. I used to be a Cubs fan . . .

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats,
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind
When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums adíeu
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

[mediaman007]

16. I stopped going to church...

somehow the freepers have turned both me and my wife away from formal religion. That's pretty sad.

Now on Sunday's we just read the morning paper and drink coffee.

[AlCzervik]

17. I guess what really struck me today and hit home hard

was that democrats are supposed to be for the little guy you know? Help out those that are being oppressed or disenfranchised and today the only ones that did were a small handful.

[leftofthedial]

31. I've lost faith in the Democratic Party

for sure.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mrbassman03]

21. I need to get a hold of you about the vanilla...

I just got the package in the mail... THANK YOU! I need to find out the best way to pay you. Would cash be ok? I could easily get a cashier's check, but I heard they charge a lot to cash them. Anyway, please get back to me, the goddamn site keeps me from getting into direct contact with either of you. :(

[elsur]

33. The ability of forum readers ....

... to appreciate simply written satire or sarcasm.

[devinsgram]

20. A male deity or any form of a deity.

I finally broke the chains of believing in any god whatsoever. I have never felt freer.

[Just Me]

22. I no longer believe in "overnight success" *LOL* not that I ever did.

I don't believe appeasing assholes works very well (although, being just as "manipulative" as they are works *LOL*).

I don't believe Americans get anywhere near the facts they deserve.

I don't believe the majority of our "representatives" are strong enough to actually ACT on behalf of "the people" (and they deserve everything they get, especially the blood-sucking, power-mongering, predatory politicians).

I've almost completely lost faith in the media,...almost,...to serve its duty as an "informant" to the American people.

BUT, since I always have faith in human potential, I cannot ever lose faith in "the people's" capacity to strengthen democracy. They've done it before,...they'll do it again and again and again.

[southernleftylady]

25. santa nt

[Mother Jones]

32. I've become embarrassed to admit I'm a Christian

I feel like bush & the nuts have tainted faith so badly.


And I'm not even an American!

[indigobusiness]

42. It's a troublesome shame

when anyone is mobbed in their sincere pursuits.

Christians aren't the problem. Mock Christianity and Church corruption have done them dirty.

All of it, including the broad-brush reactionarianism, stinks.

[catmandu57]

34. I've lost faith in the American people

It's been out in the open for a long time, anyone with half a brain or a passing interest in the world could've seen, could've seen that we've fallen into the control of a group of greedy, power hungry, manipulative bastards.

I've lost faith in anyone who can't look at that fucking moron* and see it for what it really is, a simpering, whimpering, narcissistic, sociopath.

I've almost lost faith in our future.

[leftofthedial]

37. yeah, the vaunted "wisdom of the common people"

or American common sense or whatever you want to call it

sure has disappeared

[0007]

35. All of the above, except number one and I'm still thinking about that one!

...and on number five, I must say I do have some good friends, but then again it all comes down to number ONE. YOU!!

[Disturbed]

39. I lost my faith in the Dem party...

right after Gore caved in. I signed up with the Green Party soon afer that.

[Lucille]

41. I don't believe in BEATLES

God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I’ll say it again
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I don’t believe in magic
I don’t believe in i-ching
I don’t believe in bible
I don’t believe in tarot
I don’t believe in hitler
I don’t believe in jesus
I don’t believe in kennedy
I don’t believe in buddha
I don’t believe in mantra
I don’t believe in gita
I don’t believe in yoga
I don’t believe in kings
I don’t believe in elvis
I don’t believe in zimmerman
I don’t believe in beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that’s reality

The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the dreamweaver
But now I’m reborn
I was the walrus
But now I’m john
And so dear friends
You’ll just have to carry on
The dream is over

[crispini]

46. Well, I can tell you what I *do* believe.

I believe.... I'll have another drink.

Sorry, couldn't resist. :evilgrin:

[leftofthedial]

48. LOL!

I'll pour you one.

:toast:

[Sugarbleus]

52. LOL...

I can dig that......... lol lol

Thanks much. I needed a good laugh :hug:

[demwing]

47. I believe in everything

until I believe in something else,

Once I learned how to believe, I couldn't stop. Now, I just transfer belief, I never stop believing.

Its just that every once in a while, something better comes along.

Whaddya gonna do?

[pinto]

49. The quick fix. Never did work, never will.....n/t

[Sugarbleus]

50. Religion, America, the Democratic Party...

I feel like I've been "had". I'm pretty depressed about it all too.

Maybe after much time has passed I'll feel better..don't know. :(

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

54. I used to think that the brain was the most amazing part of the human body

then, I thought, look what's telling me this.

[earth mom]

56. I've lost faith in people...

and I don't like admitting that. But it's the truth.

[Mend]

58. Republicans

I always knew they were selfish, racist, homophobic, sexist, and so forth. I just never thought they wanted to see the actual end of democracy. Really, I didn't think that of them.

[gollygee]

59. "Free Press"

Doesn't exist.

Also that we would always have fair elections. I remember when I was a child reading about fixed elections in other countries, and thinking that I was so glad that would never happen here.