Checking Out

[Bigs23]

I know no one cares but I’m using this forum to put some thoughts out to the universe. So please excuse my rant.

I’m checking out on politics and those things outside my realm of control that don’t bring me any joy or happiness.
At the same time I’m checking in on things that make me happy. Things like my family, a good book, my dog, a good cigar, a tasty meal, traveling, appreciating nature, another UNC win over dook, and the many other small , important things that make life meaningful.

Eff politics, politicians, and all the incessant noise they produce. It’s all net negative even in better times.

I feel sad for those who are suffering at the hands of the hate mongers. My part in combating this will be to simply be kind.

The country made its choice. There’s no sugar coating it. With that I’ve found a place of resignation, peace, and even a strange sense of relief.

Life is too short to get consumed by it. What will be will be.

I’ll see you on the off topics board!

Go Heels!

 

[superrific]

Remember. Do not be kind to MAGA. They do not deserve it.

 

[ZZLPHeels]

Remember. Do not be kind to MAGA. They do not deserve it.

I wouldn’t follow this advice. At some point we have to get along with 51% of the country. Hating someone because of how they voted is not really in anyone’s self-interest. It may feel better for a time, but will only contribute to isolation and anger. They aren’t worth sacrificing your soul over. Be nice to everyone.

 

[heelinhell]

I know no one cares but I’m using this forum to put some thoughts out to the universe. So please excuse my rant.

I’m checking out on politics and those things outside my realm of control that don’t bring me any joy or happiness.
At the same time I’m checking in on things that make me happy. Things like my family, a good book, my dog, a good cigar, a tasty meal, traveling, appreciating nature, another UNC win over dook, and the many other small , important things that make life meaningful.

Eff politics, politicians, and all the incessant noise they produce. It’s all net negative even in better times.

I feel sad for those who are suffering at the hands of the hate mongers. My part in combating this will be to simply be kind.

The country made its choice. There’s no sugar coating it. With that I’ve found a place of resignation, peace, and even a strange sense of relief.

Life is too short to get consumed by it. What will be will be.

I’ll see you on the off topics board!

Go Heels!

I endorse much of what you say. I am a white straight well to do 73yo male so it is unlikely that my own personal life will suffer. I do worry about my kids and grandkids but realize I can do only so much to mitigate the carnage of a dystopian society should they face it in the future.

That said, I will remain engaged in following politics and the unfolding of history in our country much like a rubbernecker who slows down to witness a horrible car wreck.

 

[Peppers49]

I enjoy this board to keep myself up to date with the big picture political landscape. I’ve mostly stopped following the regular political news cycle outside of elections since 2016. Just too off the rails and in general too much content to keep up with.

 

[superrific]

I wouldn’t follow this advice. At some point we have to get along with 51% of the country. Hating someone because of how they voted is not really in anyone’s self-interest. It may feel better for a time, but will only contribute to isolation and anger. They aren’t worth sacrificing your soul over. Be nice to everyone.

I'm not saying to be unkind to people just on how they voted. After all, how do I know who they voted for.

But if they have visible MAGA, then it's not just a question of how they vote. They are the enemy. I didn't start this war. They did. I'm not going to roll over and play nice while they are talking about the enemy within. Fuck that. A kid at my son's high school was bullied into suicide yesterday by MAGA. Fuck them forever.

 

[45and47]

Good for you and good luck.

 

[CFordUNC]

Agree with you completely, @Bigs23. I’ll still follow politics and current events to a certain extent but probably not as nearly as obsessively as I have as a hobby over the last few years. I’ll probably plan to spend way, way less time on social media, and will probably take a step back from participating as frequently on this board as well as a couple of the other forums on which I discuss politics and such.

Personally, and for my immediate family, I don’t have many concerns about our livelihood. We are the “Again” part of “Make America Great Again”- wealthy, white, straight, and Christian. We’ll be fine. It’s everyone else who doesn’t fall into that category whom I am concerned about- but many, many of those folks voted for (and got) what they think they wanted, so as they’ve been telling us for years, “elections have consequences.” Certainly hope for the best for all of them, as I am never, ever, ever going to wish bad things to happen to people based solely upon their voting preferences. I just won’t do it, I don’t care how much I dislike Donald Trump and everything for what he stands. I will, however, have a lot less sympathy for them if the leopards decide to eat their faces. Again, elections have consequences.

I’m also going to spend way less time- in other words, pretty much zero time at all- trying to convince people of my worldview. They don’t want it, and they don’t care. It’s not my place to browbeat them. Everyone is allowed to vote the way that they do for their own reasons, and I am no longer going to be arrogant enough to try to persuade them otherwise. You can’t reason with people who simply want to believe that the economy is bad, or that crime is skyrocketing, or that the border is “unsecured”, or that their preferred politicians will “fix” anything, when all objective data indicates otherwise. Why waste any of the precious time that any of us have in life trying to convince people who are certain that the sky is red, when it’s really blue?

I’ll do exactly what I did during the first Trump administration, and during the Biden administration. I’ll believe in democracy, even when it doesn’t deliver my desired outcomes in a given election; I’ll love my country and my fellow countrymen and women regardless of whether my “side” or my preferred candidate wins or loses; and I’ll try to do everything that I can to be a force for goodness and kindness and compassion and generosity for everyone with whom I come into contact, regardless of their viewpoints, beliefs, circumstances, or walks of life.

Most of all, I’ll just work hard to continue to believe that most people are good; that most people sincerely good things for their family, their friends, their neighbors, and their fellow countrymen (even if we disagree on how to go about doing those things); and that nothing and nobody in politics has the power to steal my joy and my optimism and my love for others. We’re all Americans, and we’re all in this together.

 

[superrific]

Agree with you completely, @Bigs23. I’ll still follow politics and current events to a certain extent but probably not as nearly as obsessively as I have as a hobby over the last few years. I’ll probably plan to spend way, way less time on social media, and will probably take a step back from participating as frequently on this board as well as a couple of the other forums on which I discuss politics and such.

Personally, and for my immediate family, I don’t have many concerns about our livelihood. We are the “Again” part of “Make America Great Again”- wealthy, white, straight, and Christian. We’ll be fine. It’s everyone else who doesn’t fall into that category whom I am concerned about- but many, many of those folks voted for (and got) what they think they wanted, so as they’ve been telling us for years, “elections have consequences.” Certainly hope for the best for all of them, as I am never, ever, ever going to wish bad things to happen to people based solely upon their voting preferences. I just won’t do it, I don’t care how much I dislike Donald Trump and everything for what he stands. I will, however, have a lot less sympathy for them if the leopards decide to eat their faces. Again, elections have consequences.

I’m also going to spend way less time- in other words, pretty much zero time at all- trying to convince people of my worldview. They don’t want it, and they don’t care. It’s not my place to browbeat them. Everyone is allowed to vote the way that they do for their own reasons, and I am no longer going to be arrogant enough to try to persuade them otherwise. You can’t reason with people who simply want to believe that the economy is bad, or that crime is skyrocketing, or that the border is “unsecured”, or that their preferred politicians will “fix” anything, when all objective data indicates otherwise. Why waste any of the precious time that any of us have in life trying to convince people who are certain that the sky is red, when it’s really blue?

I’ll do exactly what I did during the first Trump administration, and during the Biden administration. I’ll believe in democracy, even when it doesn’t deliver my desired outcomes in a given election; I’ll love my country and my fellow countrymen and women regardless of whether my “side” or my preferred candidate wins or loses; and I’ll try to do everything that I can to be a force for goodness and kindness and compassion and generosity for everyone with whom I come into contact, regardless of their viewpoints, beliefs, circumstances, or walks of life.

Most of all, I’ll just work hard to continue to believe that most people are good; that most people sincerely good things for their family, their friends, their neighbors, and their fellow countrymen (even if we disagree on how to go about doing those things); and that nothing and nobody in politics has the power to steal my joy and my optimism and my love for others. We’re all Americans, and we’re all in this together.

What are you going to do when they start rounding people up into detention/deportation centers? Believe in democracy?

 

[45and47]

Agree with you completely, @Bigs23. I’ll still follow politics and current events to a certain extent but probably not as nearly as obsessively as I have as a hobby over the last few years. I’ll probably plan to spend way, way less time on social media, and will probably take a step back from participating as frequently on this board as well as a couple of the other forums on which I discuss politics and such.

Personally, and for my immediate family, I don’t have many concerns about our livelihood. We are the “Again” part of “Make America Great Again”- wealthy, white, straight, and Christian. We’ll be fine. It’s everyone else who doesn’t fall into that category whom I am concerned about- but many, many of those folks voted for (and got) what they think they wanted, so as they’ve been telling us for years, “elections have consequences.” Certainly hope for the best for all of them, as I am never, ever, ever going to wish bad things to happen to people based solely upon their voting preferences. I just won’t do it, I don’t care how much I dislike Donald Trump and everything for what he stands. I will, however, have a lot less sympathy for them if the leopards decide to eat their faces. Again, elections have consequences.

I’m also going to spend way less time- in other words, pretty much zero time at all- trying to convince people of my worldview. They don’t want it, and they don’t care. It’s not my place to browbeat them. Everyone is allowed to vote the way that they do for their own reasons, and I am no longer going to be arrogant enough to try to persuade them otherwise. You can’t reason with people who simply want to believe that the economy is bad, or that crime is skyrocketing, or that the border is “unsecured”, or that their preferred politicians will “fix” anything, when all objective data indicates otherwise. Why waste any of the precious time that any of us have in life trying to convince people who are certain that the sky is red, when it’s really blue?

I’ll do exactly what I did during the first Trump administration, and during the Biden administration. I’ll believe in democracy, even when it doesn’t deliver my desired outcomes in a given election; I’ll love my country and my fellow countrymen and women regardless of whether my “side” or my preferred candidate wins or loses; and I’ll try to do everything that I can to be a force for goodness and kindness and compassion and generosity for everyone with whom I come into contact, regardless of their viewpoints, beliefs, circumstances, or walks of life.

Most of all, I’ll just work hard to continue to believe that most people are good; that most people sincerely good things for their family, their friends, their neighbors, and their fellow countrymen (even if we disagree on how to go about doing those things); and that nothing and nobody in politics has the power to steal my joy and my optimism and my love for others. We’re all Americans, and we’re all in this together.

Awesome, well said.

 

[mpaer]

I know no one cares but I’m using this forum to put some thoughts out to the universe. So please excuse my rant.

I’m checking out on politics and those things outside my realm of control that don’t bring me any joy or happiness.
At the same time I’m checking in on things that make me happy. Things like my family, a good book, my dog, a good cigar, a tasty meal, traveling, appreciating nature, another UNC win over dook, and the many other small , important things that make life meaningful.

Eff politics, politicians, and all the incessant noise they produce. It’s all net negative even in better times.

I feel sad for those who are suffering at the hands of the hate mongers. My part in combating this will be to simply be kind.

The country made its choice. There’s no sugar coating it. With that I’ve found a place of resignation, peace, and even a strange sense of relief.

Life is too short to get consumed by it. What will be will be.

I’ll see you on the off topics board!

Go Heels!

You will be missed I get it

 

[mpaer]

You will be missed I get it . As a"student " of Gubment and a nearly lifelong employee of Gubment-I will stick around to discuss How the Dismantle the Deep state bullshit goes

 

[CFordUNC]

What are you going to do when they start rounding people up into detention/deportation centers? Believe in democracy?

If it happens, I’ll hate it like hell. I’ll feel horribly for the innocent people impacted. I’ll want to try to do everything in my power to help those folks to the best of my ability. I’ll also know that many people impacted by it, voted for it. Democracy is great, but sometimes the leopards eat your face.

 

[lightbluenc]

I'm worried those leopards I voted against are going to eat my face as well, especially with health insurance. If our Obamacare is taken away then I imagine we will have to go without until we get back around to the next election cycle. I'm not looking forward to that possibility at all.

 

[farce©]

Being a white Christian man with a good job may well be too little to avoid being caught up in the carnage. If the ACA is dismantled, insurers will be free to impose denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions and lifetime spending caps as we had before ACA. This will apply to employer sponsored plans as well. Obamacare wasn't just about getting affordable coverage for the uninsured, it created a more humanitarian framework of our entire health insurance system. Upper middle class white people shouldn't be too smug about not being vulnerable to the consequences of this election.

 

[superrific]

If it happens, I’ll hate it like hell. I’ll feel horribly for the innocent people impacted. I’ll want to try to do everything in my power to help those folks to the best of my ability. I’ll also know that many people impacted by it, voted for it. Democracy is great, but sometimes the leopards eat your face.

If I didn't have kids, I would be locking arms with anyone they try to haul off to detention camps. If this shit is still going on when my kids are grown, then I will be doing it then.

They may break my bones, perhaps even kill me. Then they will have my dead body. What they will never get is my obedience or acquiescence.

 

[Ddseddse]

Please don't check out. That is what they want.

How do you get Orban's Hungary? Answer, you get it when you've demoralized the population enough that they check out.

I can't stress this enough, please don't check out. I mean definitely do whatever self care you need, and no two people need to contribute the same way, or the same way they have in the past, but with that being said, it is important that we all find our own way to contribute and continue to keep up the good fight.

 

[Lando]

Agree with you completely, @Bigs23. I’ll still follow politics and current events to a certain extent but probably not as nearly as obsessively as I have as a hobby over the last few years. I’ll probably plan to spend way, way less time on social media, and will probably take a step back from participating as frequently on this board as well as a couple of the other forums on which I discuss politics and such.

Personally, and for my immediate family, I don’t have many concerns about our livelihood. We are the “Again” part of “Make America Great Again”- wealthy, white, straight, and Christian. We’ll be fine. It’s everyone else who doesn’t fall into that category whom I am concerned about- but many, many of those folks voted for (and got) what they think they wanted, so as they’ve been telling us for years, “elections have consequences.” Certainly hope for the best for all of them, as I am never, ever, ever going to wish bad things to happen to people based solely upon their voting preferences. I just won’t do it, I don’t care how much I dislike Donald Trump and everything for what he stands. I will, however, have a lot less sympathy for them if the leopards decide to eat their faces. Again, elections have consequences.

I’m also going to spend way less time- in other words, pretty much zero time at all- trying to convince people of my worldview. They don’t want it, and they don’t care. It’s not my place to browbeat them. Everyone is allowed to vote the way that they do for their own reasons, and I am no longer going to be arrogant enough to try to persuade them otherwise. You can’t reason with people who simply want to believe that the economy is bad, or that crime is skyrocketing, or that the border is “unsecured”, or that their preferred politicians will “fix” anything, when all objective data indicates otherwise. Why waste any of the precious time that any of us have in life trying to convince people who are certain that the sky is red, when it’s really blue?

I’ll do exactly what I did during the first Trump administration, and during the Biden administration. I’ll believe in democracy, even when it doesn’t deliver my desired outcomes in a given election; I’ll love my country and my fellow countrymen and women regardless of whether my “side” or my preferred candidate wins or loses; and I’ll try to do everything that I can to be a force for goodness and kindness and compassion and generosity for everyone with whom I come into contact, regardless of their viewpoints, beliefs, circumstances, or walks of life.

Most of all, I’ll just work hard to continue to believe that most people are good; that most people sincerely good things for their family, their friends, their neighbors, and their fellow countrymen (even if we disagree on how to go about doing those things); and that nothing and nobody in politics has the power to steal my joy and my optimism and my love for others. We’re all Americans, and we’re all in this together.

Most people aren’t good and don’t want good things for their fellow countrymen. We’re not in this together and never have been. “Your body my choice” is flying around social media. Texts are going out telling people they need to report to the plantation.

I’ve finally been convinced about the power of states. Let’s shrink the federal government and stop wealth transfers from one laboratory of democracy to the next. Let’s find out what happens when all the rural hospitals close and the uninsured rate spikes in one of those laboratories. How are we supposed to know how to modernize the electric grid when we keep stepping in when a laboratory experiment results in a state’s grid collapsing. Homeowner’s insurance is an interesting subject , let’s allow Florida to finish their experiment without the rest of us tainting the results. Come on America, let’s smoke the whole pack.

 

[Callatoroy]

I'm not saying to be unkind to people just on how they voted. After all, how do I know who they voted for.

But if they have visible MAGA, then it's not just a question of how they vote. They are the enemy. I didn't start this war. They did. I'm not going to roll over and play nice while they are talking about the enemy within. Fuck that. A kid at my son's high school was bullied into suicide yesterday by MAGA. Fuck them forever.

you said you were stepping away. That lasted a few hours. You need to as you are on the border of being unhinged.

 

[superrific]

you said you were stepping away. That lasted a few hours. You need to as you are on the border of being unhinged.

My kids are freaked out because there are cops at my school. There's a dead kid at the high school who was bullied for being trans. That I'm angry is not unhinged. That you don't care about other people doesn't mean that I'm wrong.