I hate where our country is right now.

[kentuck]

I used to believe we were a free country. I used to believe that we were better than those countries that would torture other people. I used to believe that we could trust our elected officials and our President to protect our freedoms.

I used to believe we were a brave country, not a country of cowards. I used to believe that someone would always come forward and speak the truth and lead us to the light. I never expected our country to go insane.

I never expected our citizens to defend big banks and corporations over the common people. I never thought that the media could be so successful in brainwashing our citizenry. I used to believe there was a fair and honest judicial system in this country, not one for the rich and one for everyone else.

I used to think we were a compassionate country that would take care of those in need and hungry. I used to believe in our Constitution and the laws our ancestors passed to protect us from those that would use power to control our lives and take away our liberties.

Now, sadly, I see a country that I am ashamed to call my own. Call me un-American or whatever you wish. I know what I feel and what America used to mean to me.

I apologize if this might offend you.

.

[HopeHoops]

1. Last I checked, it was in the same spot it was a few years ago, but Japan has shifted by a few feet.

[hifiguy]

2. +1, kentuck.

Beautifully said, and it needs to be heard as often as possible. :patriot:

[Drale]

3. The only citizens I know that defend big banks of corporations

are the tea baggers and they are a very small minority but the M$M loves them and gives them as much spotlight as they want and they use it to scream and cry. The great majority of the country would love to see bankers in chains, but the M$M does not show them. You can not generalize America with the "America" they show on TV.

[nxylas]

55. And they don't even realize they're doing it

Teabaggers don't typically think they're standing up for big corporations. They think they're reg'lar folks. The only people that openly and deliberately do so are the Libertarians.

[nichomachus]

66. That's not entirely true

I know a lot of people who consider themselves on the left who defend corporations all the time. Of course, most of them work for corporations. People, with the right motivation, can convince themselves of just about anything.

[yawnmaster]

4. Want to see this country's position flipped by 180 degrees?...

wait 12 hours.

[Hannah Bell]

7. what's going to happen in 12 hours?

[yawnmaster]

15. The earth will have rotated....180 degrees!

<grin>

[Hannah Bell]

17. darn, is that all?

[Boojatta]

5. I didn't have time to read beyond the thread title, but I would like to encourage

you to be patient, and to remember that there's at least one truly reliable phenomenon: continental drift.

[Wait Wut]

10. True.

But, how long before we can truly be rid of that evil Canadian hat?

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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

[izquierdista]

13. When you watched the moon landing

You saw the apex of American achievement. It's all been downhill from then.

[cali]

8. I feel like I live in a bubble. Yeah, all you said, I agree with

but living in Vermont where good governance is the norm and where access to government officials and elected representatives is the norm, I just kind of distance myself from all the shite that dominates outside.

[mwb970]

52. Got room for one more?

Ohio is turning into a right-wing nightmare state.

[ixion]

9. k/r

:applause:

[Vinee]

11. it's only gonna get worse too. Guaranteed.

its the second law of thermodynamics at work: the universe is spiraling into chaos and only through the constant expenditure of energy can we hold that chaos back. The problem is, it takes more and more energy to hold the chaos back as times goes on. Eventually, there isn't enough energy to stop it from spiraling out of control and then all hell breaks loose.

[ixion]

18. yep... entropy gets you every time

good analogy.

[NNN0LHI]

12. I disliked our country a lot worse when Reagan was president

Lot fucking worse.

I told this to a bagger last week and he just about came unglued.

Don

[Enthusiast]

34. Reagan was a personal disaster for me.

And that is a fact.

[NNN0LHI]

39. I wore out several pairs of shoes standing in the unemployment line

Kind of hard to forget things like that.

Don

[Kievan Rus]

46. Reagan was the worst President we ever had by a mile

Even worse than Richard Nixon or James Buchanan.

[mwb970]

54. Our downward spiral began in earnest when St. Ronald took over.

We have slavishly followed lethal conservative policies that work only for the top 2% ever since, and look at where we are now. It's very sad.

[RaleighNCDUer]

64. Reagan or Bush - it's pretty much of a toss up for me -

but during Reagan's time the US itself, the people, not the politics, still seemed to mostly hold to the ideals I grew up with. Milken went to prison, and "Wall Street" derided the rise of the culture of greed he embodied - while today people who did far worse than Milken get bonuses. We got all jingoistic and invaded Grenada and Lebanon and Panama - but quickly got the hell out - while today we are balls deep in two wars and wading into at least one more.

At that time I felt what was going on was but an aberration.

Today, it's the prevailing culture.

[nichomachus]

67. Intertesting story

The night Reagan was elected, I was home alone watching the election returns. When it became clear Reagan was winning, a feeling of absolute dread came over me. I'm a rational guy and don't believe in premonitions or stuff like that, but I began to panic. I had a vision of the country going to right to where it is now. It was really frightening, to the point where I had to call a friend to come over. I've never had anything like that happen to me before.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. I am what I call a "Frank Capra" American --

I truly believe it has the potential to be the best country on the planet, to lead the world into the future and rise about the past centuries of war/hatred/fear. And I believe that strong, liberal Democratic policies are the way to do it.

Sadly, I feel are not living up to our potential. Not by a long shot. :( Greed, religious extremism, and fear have gripped our country once again. Out of the turmoil of the 60s I had hopes that we were moving towards a new trajectory, but that was crushed by Ronnie's reign.

Now we have an outright insane right, a politically neutered left (thanks DLC!), and a "middle" that is content to simply tread water for the next decades.

I still believe in our potential, I just don't believe the current corporate/political machine will allow us to fulfill it.

[A wise Man]

16. I'm in full agreement with you

The public has always been made a fool of..thats why we are in the shape we are in now. Think about it...2000 since Bush stole the election (and he did steal it no matter what anyone else says)this country has started in a down slope towards a cliff. Jobs sent across the waters...merging companies exculated...9/11 without and investigation....two wars with one country that hasn't done anything to us...gas prices exculating....jobless Americans etc. Now we have a President that cowards down to the rethugs every chance he gets. We the people of these United States are no more...at least not yet. Its up to us..not the media not our elected officials.....not the police....only us as a PEOPLE TO DEMAND THAT WE GET RID OF THE COWARDS AND ALL THE CROOKS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS DRIVEN THIS COUNTRY INTO HELLS LAP.

[Amonester]

68. Yep. "only us as a PEOPLE TO DEMAND THAT".

And "only us as a PEOPLE TO DEMAND THAT" cannot be done by sitting in front of a computer screen day in, day out, if not to plan, organize, and coordinate a movement that would involve some 50 million people in street protests (or more than 50 million, if 50 million won't be enough...).

Such a people's movement would have to completely halt the US economy in its tracks for a couple of weeks, or just until TPTB will "call Uncle" and accept to "negociate" with the leaders of that movement.

Otherwise, it should be obvious to everyone watching for the last 30 years that, nothing will change for the better, only for the worse, and that staying in front of a computer screen to only lament about it, day in, day out, will never bring any such needed 'change' (never did and never will).

That said, who's ready to lead such a MASSIVE Movement? (And I'm not talking about anything that would look like a tea-bagster mov., duh!).

The technology is there... to use.

[Fumesucker]

19. I don't mean this harshly..

But anyone who doesn't know the power of relentless propaganda to make a population do truly crazy stuff just hasn't paid attention to the lessons of history.

Goering flat out told us..

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

[femrap]

44. Manipulation by

Fear and Greed....the great buttons to push on the human psyche.

[DCBob]

20. I hate where some Democrats are right now...

criticizing the brethren when they should be attacking the enemy. Unbelievable.

[PufPuf23]

23. One cleans their own home because that is where one has the most influence.

The Democratic Party is acting to the right of POTUSs Eisenhower and Nixon.

We purged LBJ over Vietnam.

Best to write off the right wing fringe.

The (fascist) Third Way neo-liberals best pay more attention to FDR Democrats if they truly represent the American People and Good in the World because we are usually correct and kind.

I expect matters to get worse before I die, alas.

The USA will continue to decline as long as the income and wealth distribution is so skewed and we continue as a military empire.

Our foreign policy would be better served by bombing brown skinned people with tractors, food, education, health care, and 1st world technology.

[DCBob]

25. You may be partially correct about some of those things but..

your "strategy" to change things is flawed.

[PufPuf23]

28. How is my "strategy" flawed?

There is evil in the world and a ripe situation for expansion of horrid.

Being less horrid is at best a cynical delayed decline "strategy".

Most people and most Americans are kind and fair when basic needs (ala Maslow) are met.

What is your "strategy"?

[DCBob]

29. because it wont work in this environment. We are in a death struggle with the RW powers that be.

Infighting among Democrats weakens us and could allow the GOP evil empire back in control. If that happens we may have a very hard time ever getting it back.

[PufPuf23]

30. What's new about political death struggles except, regardless of the civil war,

the USA has had relatively little conflict after the genocide of the American Indian and old border wars with Mexico and Spain and purchases from France, Russia, and Mexico.

I hear every day at DU that the GOP is on self-destruct mode.

I am a long term Democratic liberal that realizes we live in a mixed capitalist-socialist economy and that is just fine with me.

The current status of the USA is appalling on many levels. I will vote Democratic Party (and my local elections are fine except never again DiFi as Senator). I don't understand why Pelosi took impeachment off the table.

I do understand POTUS Obama. As as soon as Obama started making appointments, he revealed his nature (bought or organic) as neo-liberal and counter to the wishes of most of the grass roots of his own Party (and interests of the USA and World in favor of a financial-family-croney elite) and confirmed the "worst" via media to Democratic opposition (GOP, Tea Party, Libertarian, racists).

I will vote for POTUS Obama in 2012 given no other choice and was a strong supporter in 2008 of a candidate that lacks integrity but is charismatic.

Cobell vs Salazar claimed and sold as a "win" is the sealing wax on American Indian genocide aided by short term Indian leaders that sold out their own People for immediate cashflow on at best $0.01 on the dollar. The largest class action lawsuit in USA history that was for Indian claims against BIA mismanagement and fraud of Indian Trust lands over 100 plus years was settled and some Indians smiled but the entire settlement is less than what is due some individual Tribes. This lawsuit settled all financial claims by Indian Nations for fraud by the Federal government and collected claims over decades.

I am aghast that such a cynical blindspot could occur at DU or among those that are American Indian or express solidarity.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

45. The enemy is in the fucking tent --

Do you get that? The right wing is IN the Democratic tent right now, masquearading as Third Way, Blue Dogs, DLCers.

Time to get the broom.

[Fuddnik]

51. And a heavy duty dose of roach spray.

[truedelphi]

71. You get the broom -

I'll get the steamroller!!

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alarimer]

21. Obama has done nothing but continue and expand undemocratic Bush policies.

I certainly expected better based on the campaign rhetoric. Now I know better than to believe anything he says.

[jwirr]

22. You are not un-American. I have been reading Naomi Klein's book

"The Shock Doctrine". At the 7th part. I was afraid to read this book - had it laying on the shelf for several years now. Finally decided I had to know what she had to say. I am at the moment deeply depressed about where our country is at now. I agree with your statement. Since the 1950s our country has systematically destroyed much of the world along with the multinationals, IMF, the World Bank and USAID. I do not know how we can ever be proud of what we have become. We are run by a set of vultures and there does not seem to be any way to stop them. And worst of all they are doing this to our own country as well. Vultures? More like cannibals.

[Octafish]

24. America's changed.

I, too, remember what it used to be like.

[PufPuf23]

26. Alas, I feel your pain Kentuck. The USA is not the USA of from when I was 20 to 40.

On a personal level, I have never felt risk to my person until post 9-11.

But the risk was not terrorism or outside, but from the inside and my life has been devalued and lessened.

Our foreign and economic policies are cruel, inefficient, and suicide for the USA and Earth.

Our political and justice systems are broken and priorities random or slanted in favor of $, class, and politcal access.

GWB, Cheney etal should have been impeached and prosecuted for admitted crimes.

Stimulus monies should gone to the bottom to ripple up through the economy.

Universal health care is the cheapest and most efficient and fair health care.

The militarism of the USA is way out of hand and has leaked into domestic law enforcement.

I am a 4th to 9th generation American, but dropped out to my childhood home in 2002-3 in Indian Country to live out my years most simple and disconnected.

Every where one looks there is corruption and croneyism because there is a crisis that could easily been avoided stalking our lives.

I am not offended by your post. I share shame and sadness. DU has even grown outright creepy because of cognitive dissonance from cheerleaders that find triumph in loss.

Your posts exhibit your heart and honesty and are among my favorite OPs.

[mochajava666]

32. Very well said

[Enthusiast]

36. You are so right!

"The militarism of the USA is way out of hand and has leaked into domestic law enforcement."
We had some of that during Vietnam.

"I am not offended by your post. I share shame and sadness. DU has even grown outright creepy because of cognitive dissonance from cheerleaders that find triumph in loss."
Ain't it the truth! I could never understand the triumph in loss thing. But it is very tangible with DU cheerleaders.

"Universal health care is the cheapest and most efficient and fair health care."
We must recognize this fact and soon. One would think with all the talk about medicare cuts that SOMEONE on the TV machine would at least mention this fact. That someone should be a Democrat.

[slay]

42. You express so well what so many of us are feeling

and why. Thank you. :hug:

[StarburstClock]

49. All so sadly true

I feel the same way.

[mwb970]

56. "But the risk was not terrorism or outside, but from the inside."

+1!

I am MUCH more concerned about republicans than mere terrorists. Terrorists can knock down a few buildings; republicans, working from inside, are systematically tearing down our democracy itself.

[bobbolink]

27. A lot of those things were there before, we just didn't see them.

But there is no denying that the downhill slide has become a torrent.

[raccoon]

37. +1000. nt

[Enthusiast]

33. It's the influence of Ayn Rand.

The other evening on 'Jeopardy' in one of the questions Pat Sajak proclaimed his favorite book was Atlas Shrugged. I never much cared for Sajak anyway, that sealed it.

[RandomKoolzip]

40. What? Why was Pat Sajack on Jeopardy!? Doesn't he host Wheel of Fortune?

And why would the subject of "favorite books" come up on either show?

[Enthusiast]

43. Somehow there was a Celebrity

favorite book question on Jeopardy. Pat was the one I remember for being a fan of Ayn Rand.

Something else about Pat Sajak. He is ultra-sensitive about his height. They have elevated platforms behind the podiums where the contestants stand for Pat to stand on so he will never appear to be too short. You will seldom (never?) see a tall Wheel of Fortune contestant and some are really short. I guarantee Wheel of Fortune has a question on their entrance form like, "How tall are you?" If you are over 5'4" you are eliminated.

[mwb970]

57. His "favorite book" is taller than he is!

I don't believe that the likes of Sajak actually read that giant yawner anyway. He heard the name somewhere, that's all.

[madokie]

35. So am I Kentuck

so am I.
I gave up 15 months of my early adulthood for this?
Now I'm ashamed of that, well actually I've been ashamed of what we did during that war for a long long time.

[RandomThoughts]

38. That is still the America I know.

Just have to introduce her to everyone else.

On a side note.

I am still due beer and travel money, and many experiences.

[slay]

41. I hear ya buddy

and i'm right there with ya. it's heartbreaking. :( :hug:

[Forkboy]

47. The reason Jello Biafra chose to name his band The Dead Kennedys...

...was because he felt the assassination of Kennedy was the end of the American Dream.

While we've certainly made some positive advances, the overall feeling I have is that we've gone downhill since then.

[nonperson]

48. America is in Pottersville right now

And I hate where it is too.

[Autumn]

50. No apology necessary to me

I find myself thinking along those lines myself. K/R

[Fuddnik]

53. This Memorial Day, let's remember America.

R.I.P.

[krabigirl]

58. Me too.

[MasonJar]

59. There are many countries I admire more than America. Most of them

are in the EU, where people get a free health care, a month paid vacation, basically free education. Australia and New Zealand too. Also there are several governments in South America which are trying to do better for their citizens, some of which our leaders rail against like Venezuela. I find little to admire in the corprtate state of the USA

[Aerows]

60. The sad part is that those who think themselves brave

believe we should BE cowards.

I'm pretty tiny - I weigh a little over 100lbs, and I'm 5'4". I don't fear anything, not because I was taught not to, but because I was disciplined, and sought out education that made me resilient to fear.

You either govern your own fear, or you are a slave to it. I refuse to be a slave to fear.

[SunDrop23]

61. Must be how the British felt when they saw their empire crumbling...

stick a fork in us, we are done. we have had plenty of opportunities to save the ship in the past 40 years and have chosen not to do so.
we are reaping that which we have sewn.

i have given up worrying about it. instead i will do whatever i can to provide for my family.
this country, such that it is, has failed and is no longer worthy of my reverence.

just because we say we are the "best country in the world" or "in the history of mankind" doesn't make it so. maybe we were the best, but now, not so much.

[russspeakeasy]

62. I'm a citizen, I don't defend big banks..I'm not a coward,

I think when you use the collective "we" or
"citizens", you are not singling out the minority,
but casting the majority of us as a non-caring, power hungry,
bunch of cowards ..98% of the posters on DU seem to be caring
and pretty thoughtful.

[blindpig]

63. You ain't seen nothing yet..

This is just the beginning. This Patriot Act bullshit got little to do with foreign enemies and everything to do with the unrest that's gonna happen when all of these austerity chickens come home to roost.

They are getting ready, we better be.

To be brutally honest that country which you thought you knew never existed, they've been jiving us all along.

[Shireling]

65. The problem is

when people take a stand, the media either distorts it or fails to report it.

BUT, if enough people took a stand, it couldn't be ignored OR distorted.

[AllyCat]

69. I had someone tell me today that we screen people the way we do at the airport

because our country has such vastly superior human rights to other countries. How is that for a spin?

It's disgusting what is happening here.

[GeorgeGist]

70. Empty Suits Rule.

[Avant Guardian]

72. Our political system is comprable to the Jerry Springer Show

The two party system isn't democracy, the lesser of two evils is not democracy.

[Duck]

73. Sucks

Spoken like a true white middle class American. Sucks to finally realize you don't mean anymore to the bosses than Blacks, Latinos or American Indians. The country hasn't changed, you just woke up to the truth. Me too.

[Duck]

74. Too Bad

Spoken like a true white middle class American. Sucks to finally realize you don't mean anymore to the bosses than Blacks, Latinos or American Indians. The country hasn't changed, you just woke up to the truth. Me too.