When will people grow up and try to be civilized?

[Deja Q]

I usually dislike all politicians, but ever since the repuke gambit against Mark Dayton in 2004 (they telling him of some terror scare which prompted him to vamoose along with his workers), and the actions of republicans since election 2004 (their idea of bipartisanship is now CLEARLY and IMMUTABLY "You go along with us 110% or otherwise we will leave you or destroy you")... it's sad.

(on edit: 99% of politicians are vile self-aggrandizing selfish jerks. The 1% who are good get tricked and are compelled to quit and leave. The DFL is hardly pristine as even Bill Luther, who I once respected, I now despise thanks to his shenannigans in the last election... But I am far more likely to dislike repukes far more because of how two-faced they are...)

Watching the TV news, Conartist Rice's latest blatherings basically say "You're next Iran, period". Looking at the reality of Iraq (no WMDs), why should we play the "Fool you once, shame on us. Fool you again, shame on you" game again?

I'd spend a lot more time on recent events but I have my own convalescence to deal with.

I'm praying for the world... but only when I stop crying and wishing that nuclear Armageddon would take place because that's the only fair way out. So tell me what am I supposed to think!? All I know is that the bulk of Americans from either party agree on so many things (at least from the working class perspective; those in power only want power and control, which makes their voices worthless because of what amounts to they being insane with megalomania.) I want to be a productive citizen, as do we all... I just don't understand.

[MichiganVote]

1. When will people grow up?

Beats me.

[Martin Eden]

2. What to think?

I don't presume to tell anyone what to think, so I'll tell you what I think.

I think that most of us here at DU are thoughtful people doing our best to be informed and engaged, that there are millions of Americans of similar disposition, and that wherever intelligent caring human beings communicate and share a common goal -- there is hope.

I think my life is what I make of it, and that the quality of my life is contingent on the EFFORT to improve myself and the society in which I live.

I think that such effort has intrinsic value regardless of results, that results can only be the product of perseverence, and that we make a difference even if it isn't readily apparent.

I think there is nothing wrong with prayer, but that it must be accompanied by a spirited determination to do whatever is in our power to make those prayers come true.

I think we should all take courage from the knowledge that we are not alone, that we have friends we haven't even met, and that we (the human race) have overcome worse self-imposed nightmares than those which face us now.

[Deja Q]

3. I'll tell you what I do later. But tell me how you'd back up that prayer

with action. Right now, just saying that it needs to be backed up with action is tantamount to praying whilest doing nothing.

[Martin Eden]

7. By doing whatever is in my power

I'll be the first to admit that I could be doing more -- taking more ACTION to bring achieve results.

I keep informed, I donate to environmental groups, I try to persuade friends and relatives (with some minor success), I write LTTEs, I marched in protests against the invasion of Iraq on Feb 15 & March 15 of 2003, and I used 3 vacation days to travel to Ohio and work on the get-out-the-vote effort in Kerry's recent campaign.

Iraq was invaded and Kerry lost, but I persevere.

I could do more. I could join a grassroots organization or get involved with my local Democratic Party, and/or increase my efforts to educate friends and relatives about what's happening in this country.

By myself these actions aren't enough to achieve significant results, but many who have the same concerns do considerably less. It's up to each and every one of us to stay engaged and make some effort, to make our voices heard by the politicians who represent us, and to keep plugging away for positive change.

[SmokingJacket]

4. We're all flailing here.

Every day I have to work very hard to keep myself from falling to the ground and screaming at the God I profess not to believe in, "HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS SHIT?"

If this country goes waltzing into Iran... clearly we as Democrats are utterly, completely, totally powerless. We will have completely and utterly failed.

[Deja Q]

8. Or N. Korea for that matter...

On the plus side, at least starting w/social security, the corporate media seems to now be a little less pro-*. Which is surprising, but welcomed.

I think there is a glimer of hope and I will continue to spread real information to those who want to know. That and voting is all we righteously can do.

[KuTava]

5. I'll tell you when people will grow up.

It's when each of us decides to do it himself/herself, rather than waiting for others to.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Welcome To Myopic America

Put several generations of cultural isolation and coporate manipulation...mix it with a steady stream of flag-waiving and cross carrying...and you come up with a generation that feels they are superior to all others and should be treated as superior.

Superiority means disdain for all people with "non-American" traits...such as an accent or gay or brown-skinned or "different"...the target is chosen to suit the political/corporate master who benefits from the continued misrepresentations.

Superiority also means never being wrong or wanting to know one is wrong or has been lied to by those they trust. It's blind obedience to the extreme...even when it runs totally against a person's best financial or physical interests.

Sadly the voices of reason get shouted down, ridiculed and demonized as their truths expose the contradictions and lies of those with the most power and money. Those who buy into this distorted view many times do so through peer pressure or environment...and their ignorance is encouraged. They've lived in such an illogical world for so long, logic defies their comprehension.

I have little faith these people will ever wake-up...except if there's some cataclysmic experience in their lives. My hope is they can just "tune out" of the political world. Fortunately, I believe the majority of the people in this country...a SILENT majority...are being stiffled...once we find a voice (and we will), times will change. Until then, keep the faith.