Why?

[JTG of the PRB]

I find myself today feeling a great emptiness, a great sorrow within the very depths of my soul. If I tried to point to a single, powerful reason for these feelings, I could not. Rather, I would end up pointing in a thousand different directions at a thousand different sources that, once combined, make me feel as though the weight of the world is crashing down upon us all, and that there is no salvation from it.

I look at the news on TV and the Internets. I read the papers and the blogs. I listen to the words being spoken and reiterated ad nauseum. I see the anger, the frustration, the pain, the sorrow, and the confusion of my friends here at DU - ALL of you - and it hurts. It hurts to deepest parts of my soul, to the bottom of my heart, and to the core of the marrow on my bones.

It seems that the news is getting worse and worse every day. The war is going so poorly... Americans are dying by the scores every day it seems... The President and his cohorts are ignoring the facts and blindly pushing forward... The leaders we elected to combat the war have, at this point in time, failed us... The people of this country are not being listened to... We are the vocal majority that is no longer being heard.

Maybe it's because it's so cold and rainy here on what started to be a beautiful day. Maybe it's because I'm tired of seeing everything that's happening in the world. Maybe it's because I have to go back to work tomorrow after having the last two weeks off for vacation.

Okay, that MIGHT be it, but it's one of those thousand tiny reasons I mentioned before.

So I have one question, one simple question that can cover so much ground for all the people out there, all of those who are in power and no longer listening to us. It is a question I ask to every person in this country, whether they are a simple blogger trying to voice their opinion or a person walking the halls of power in this country. It is a question I ask my friend, my family, my compatriots here at DU, and myself.

Why?

Why does everything seem to be spinning out of control? Why does the news get worse and worse, and yet the course will not change? Why does it feel like the nation is crumbling to the ground at our feet? Why do the clouds grow darker and darker every day? Why does the President claim that it's a beautiful, sunny day when he's standing in the middle of a downpour?

Why are the people in power allowing the men and women of our armed forces to die for a needless, unjustified occupation of a sovereign nation? Why are our men and women in uniform coming home maimed and being given all the lip service of "supporting the troops," only to end up at Walter Reed? Why do so many of these brave Americans have to come home in body bags to shattered, broken families? Why does the President continue to justify the suffering he is putting these families through? Why is he able to sleep at night?

Why does the media lie? Why do they distort the facts? Why do they feed us garbage and spin and opinion why they should report the REAL news? Why are the only truly trustworthy sources of media the "fake" news programs? Why can't the media stand up for itself? Why has REAL journalism been replaced with tabloid sensationalism? Why has this become the standard, and not the exception? Why won't journalists stand up and report the news? Why do they continue to be water carriers? Why do they do it?

Why does Alberto Gonzales still have a job? Why isn't Karl Rove behind bars? Why can't we get real convictions, real investigations, and real answers? Why does the White House refuse to cooperate with Congress? Why do we have checks and balances, if one man and one party can complete annihilate them? Why do they treat the Constitution like a piece of kindling? Why have they stepped on the Constitution like a doormat? Why are they trying to erase, remove, and withhold some of our most sacred freedoms and values? Why are they GETTING AWAY WITH IT?

Why can't we feed the hungry? Why can't we house the homeless? Why can't we care for the sick and the uninsured? Why do the rich get richer? Why do the poor get poorer? Why couldn't we stop the economic gaps in our society from widening into canyon they are today? Why have we sold out our future and the future of our children and our children's children? Why have we turned the greatest nation in the world into a nation teetering on the brink of oblivion and totalitarianism?

Why can't the Democrats in Congress stand up for themselves? Why don't the Republicans in congress shut up? Why does the President threaten to veto important legislation because he disagrees with it? Why does he not want to help our country? Why does he seem like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum and holding his breath? Why does he get his way after such a display? Why can' we wipe that smug smile off his stupid monkey face?

Why are the worst people allowed to come to power and drive the country into the ground? Why can't any politicians grow a fucking spine? Why can't we bring our brave men and women home fro the nightmarish catastrofuck that Iraq has become? Why can't the President get a clue? Why do all his cabinet members and closest friends seem to be laughing as the United States of America sinks into oblivion?

Why, despite the cries and the pleads and the screams from every corner of the country for peace and for change and to see our armed forces safely returned home, WHY do those in power ignore us and pay us mere fucking lip service telling us they're doing the will of the people? WHY have they forgotten WHO put them in power? WHY do they think they can ignore us? WHY do they think they can FUCK AROUND WITH US?! WHY CAN'T WE STOP THEM?!


Why does it hurt every time I think of those killed in Iraq or Afghanistan? Why do I see the faces of the dead and want to scream? Why can't one man change the world? Why can't an entire country of angry citizens change the minds of our leaders? Why is our voice no longer heard?

Why does it matter? Why should I care? Why shouldn't I roll over and give up on every thing I believe in? Why should I keep fighting against endless odds and a government that no longer cares about this country?





And why do they think they can stop me - stop US - from stopping them and changing the world?

[JTG of the PRB]

1. Alright, I guess I have one more...

Why does it feel like nobody else is angry about anything today?

[Q3JR4]

2. It seems like this nation as

it was meant to be is no more.

I have faith that things can change, but I have no faith that they will. As the news media sticks it's head in the sand, the people they're meant to service know nothing of the corruption that has been allowed to flourish in the core of what makes this nation what it is. Our citizenry are dull, ignorant, and unquestioning. Our Leaders are opportunistic and beholding to those who finance their take-over bids. All the while this country slides deeper into fascism.

If the system can be bent and broken by a strong Presidency and complacent media, then the system is faulty and must be changed. I don't know if that means revolution, but I do know that if something isn't done our children won't have the luxury of the "Dream of America." Not an American Dream of getting ahead in life financially, but a Dream of America that includes freedom, social justice, and respect for all peoples regardless of whom they are.

By the time the population awakens to this terrible destruction to the foundations of our society, it may be too late. I'm pessimistic enough to believe that soon there will be no turning back. I'm optimistic enough, however, to realize that the turning point has yet to be reached.

The question becomes, then, what are we going to do about it?






Unfortunately I can't answer the question, because I really don't know.

[JTG of the PRB]

6. I worry about the future of our nation as well.

I suppose the only thing we really CAN do right now is cling desperately to that last shred of hope we have that somehow, somebody, somewhere can fix this mess and return our country to its proper status in the world, as well as renew the faith we have in our leaders and in each other.

Pessimism just seems so much easier right now...

[Q3JR4]

3. Kicked and Recommended.

If only so that others will read it.

[Uncle Joe]

4. If I might make a humble suggestion

Buy or borrow Al Gore's book "The Assault on Reason" to read and I believe you will not only get some answers as to your feelings of despair or hopelessness, you will also be reinvigorated to keep fighting for our democratic republic. It's a most empowering, inspiring and enlightening book. Good luck, take care and I hope you get to feeling better.

[JTG of the PRB]

5. I plan on picking it up sometime this week.

I've heard great things about the book already, and I truly admire Al Gore not only as a leader but as a human being. I'm hoping that book does lend a few answers to me, because right now I only see a miserable future for our country if things keep going the way they're going.