Our parole was denied

[SoCalDem]

I have chosen to use this mindset to help me cope with a second Bush term. There are many similarities, if you think about it.

Of course in MY mind's eye, we are prisoners, wrongly accused of a "crime". The sentence is 8 years, but the parole hearing is at year #4. During the first 4 years, we tried our best to "do everything right", to concentrate on what would "free us" at the 4 year mark.

There were good people in our corner, trying to help. Lots of money was spent in the effort to free us, but in the end, a select group of people did "whatever it took" to continue to hold us prisoner for the remaining 4 years.

Now, we could be bitter, and wish horrible things upon the heartless, and myopic people who actually think that four more years of wasted "imprisonment" is deserved.. After 4 years of prison, the life "inside" is fairly predictable, and the fact that we have survived for 4 years, proves that we can do the next 4 years.

4 years will pass, in either case....free or not, so perhaps the best use of the time is to concentrate on what we will do when it's over. The disappointment is excrutiating, and the punishment unwarranted, but rather than flail about in permanent "angry mode" , the time might be best spent contemplating what MUST happen when it's over.

The "parole board" is easily swayed by wrongheaded opinion, and even with mounting evidence that they are wrong, they still "go with the flow". The people on the inside have little or no influence on them, and even less money to "persuade" them to do their homework and make decisions based on fact. They will probably always prefer the "myth" to the cold hard photo.

After 4 more years, the mood will be different, or at least I am hoping it will be, and 8 year indignity will be over..

We can begin again. We have no choice. Hold our heads up, work behind the scenes..Take one step at a time..Hold our "parole board" accountable. Imprison the ones who are criminals, not the ones who shine the light on the crime..

[NYC]

1. The problem in your analogy

is that Bush will be causing us a lot more harm during the next 4 years. What about Social Security? If he gets his way, that will be a disaster that will last beyond our remaining 4 years of incarceration.

I think that is why I have such a hard time with Bush. It is not just 4 more years. He could be mucking up the rest of my life.

[SoCalDem]

3. We can have passive resistance, but basically

the one who sits in the "big-boy chair" at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, has the power to try to get his way.

As much as it scares me, I really doubt that the senators will allow him to "fix" social security. HE may not be running again, but THEY are...

I think he's pushing for it as a way to show how "brave" he is.. He's interested in conquering the world..the SS is a sideshow for him..

I think his own party will knock it down.. I only hope that the Dems will at least hold the line.There are a few who will probably be swayed by the "bipartisan" crap, and vote with him.. but even the dumbest senator/congressperson cannot really think that "reforming" SS is a viable idea..

I guess I am putting what faith I have in the fact that they ALL need the senior vote :)

[SoCalDem]

4. Mine too.. I am 55, and my husband 61...

Social Security will probably be the bulk of our "income", and I am not looking forward to doing with less than that. I am also a pragmatist. The Boomers managed to end a war, and perhaps there is some "fight" left in us :) And even if *² manages to tweak SS, there will be such an uproar, that it might end up getting "unfixed" when he's gone :)

The system has a track record, and it would not be that difficult to undo the damage he did (or tried to do) to it. ..

Fingers crossed/.....pen poised :)

[NYC]

9. I'm in the same boat.

I'm 53, and wouldn't be able to survive without Social Security when the time comes.

I hope you are right that this can all be undone once the "Harmful One" is gone.

My fingers are also crossed. Pen also poised. :hi:

[TaleWgnDg]

2. I simply couldn't help it . . . this political cartoon came to mind . . .

.

I simply couldn't help it . . . this political cartoon came to mind . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


.

[anarchy1999]

5. Just a sweet kick to the top. Says it all toon.

Thank you.

[sweetheart]

6. Prison state USA

Oh how far we've come from the framer's concept of a free country.

As much as i admire your example, i see it rather that the nazi's have
come to power, and that there will be no next parole, but all laws
are suspended and the contract re-written.

In 4 years of the courts, there will be no rights left, and then the
deal is off... there is no consensus to be american except to have
a gun pointed at you and threatening violence or real incarceration.
We can expect only more freedom camps like guantanamo, and freedom
officers snooping in our private, and freedom from making a good living
and freedom from education or being informed.

There is another bush in the wings, and another and another, that you'll
be saying 4 more years of prison 20 years from now. So it begs the
question of whether we surrender forever to having a government of
criminals that is not connected with "we the people" ever, that sucks
our blood and returns only the bodies of our children in cult-flag
draped coffins... "died fighting the infidel defilers"... or we pull
up the draw bridge and make nice nice with the guards, maybe turning
informant to get an extra ration of food.

All heil bush, of the 1000 year reich... and may his appeasers die
a horrible death.

[SoCalDem]

7. I still have some slight hope that his own party will "undo" him

Even though there are many idealogues in his inner-circle, there are more and more "hints" leaking out, that there is "trouble in paradise".

The abrupt pendulum swing that I am hoping for will come when enough of the republicans who thought he was the best thing since sliced carrion, will feel the pinch in their own lifestyles, and move away from the edge.

The rapture-ready loonies are the loudest, to be sure, but I think they are losing their lustre with a lot of people..

Making nice with the "guards" might actually be a way to find out their weaknesses. People in longterm captivity are often much smarter when they emerge, than when they went in :)

[NYC]

10. Sliced carrion.

Hilarious!

...the republicans who thought he was the best thing since sliced carrion...

Absolutely hilarious. Thanks. :hi:

[SoCalDem]

11. Thanks.. "sliced bread" is just so...... last week :)

:)

[Kolesar]

8. They can destroy a lot of wetlands and forests in 4 years

Yes, I know you know that. Maybe we can stop them somehow.