Helpless?

[Bailey Guns]

First of all, I'm not whining about how hard I have it or how difficult life is. On the contrary, I have it pretty good and I know that. I have a nice place to live, wonderful wife, good job, plenty of possessions, good health. In general, I have it far better than probably 95% of the world's population...maybe even more. I'm just looking for a reason...or even just a little validation...about why things are the way they are.

All of my life I've tried to do things the right way. I finished school, I obeyed the law, I've had good jobs, worked hard and paid my taxes. I've served my country and my community. I've stood for what I believed and I've done my part in the political process to let my elected representatives know what I expected of them and that I held them accountable for properly administering our government. I tried to raise my kids to be good, productive citizens.

But lately it seems that no matter how hard a guy works, how much he participates and tries to be a good citizen, the "system" kind of leaves him behind. We have a government that's out of control in terms of our laws and Constitution. It seems our elected officials only listen to two classes of people: those with money and power and those on the opposite end of the scale. Obviously the elites are shielded from much of society's ills through wealth and the ability to mingle with those that make the rules. And those on the other end - the ones who take the most and contribute the least - are rewarded at the expense of the givers and providers. The average guy, like me and probably most on this forum, is so often the guy who's punished through more government intervention into his life. Everything seems to be backwards and there doesn't appear to be any way to effectively reverse our course. I figure (if I'm lucky) I have about 25 years left on this rock. This country and our society that so many fought so hard to build and protect is spinning out of control and there's no one at the stick to pull us out of this nosedive.

I'm thinking more in philosophical terms. Probably the way a lot of you think. I like the principles upon which this great country was founded, what our founders endured to build the legacy they've entrusted to people today. And I'm really saddened that few seem to take that responsibility seriously. It's maddening. Mostly because the people who should know better seem to be the ones who do the least to protect our liberties and way of life.

That's where the helpless feeling comes in. What more can an individual do? Are we just at the point where a sea-change in our American society has occurred and it's now time to adapt to the "new way"? I don't think it has anything to do with age or where/when a person was raised. I say that because I see many people my age and older who have similar backgrounds that think completely opposite of how I do and seem to be perfectly content with the way things are on the path were on. Would it be wise, or just easier, to decide to just "roll with it"?

The government has taken from us "givers" all of our lives. Now they're gonna want to take more and there appears to be little any of us can do to stop it. Some on our side are already talking about further compromise in the way we live and exercise our rights. I'm really tired of always being on the side that's expected to give the most in a compromise. I always thought that was a two-way street. Apparently I was wrong.

I don't have the answers. I'd like to.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

I feel the same way.

[DSull]

You are not alone with your feelings there are several of us who feel the same way but are frustrated because we can't do anything about it.

[TEAMRICO]

This is how I feel everyday.

[DireWolf]

Bailey, you've described how I feel so completely that I don't think I could have possible said it better myself....

[beast556]

+1 I feel the same way. I'm scared to see what lays ahead for us.

[StagLefty]

Well said-and no your not alone.

[hatidua]

we're on a treadmill. and then we die.

[cmailliard]

My wife and I agree with this completely. It is funny to hear my almost 90 y/o Grandmother talk about our country right now. She dosen't hold anything back and she shouldn't - she lived though some real shit and Americans were great then (many still are today). This is a sad shift in "our" country.

[dwalker460]

First of all, I'm not whining about how hard I have it or how difficult life is. On the contrary, I have it pretty good and I know that. I have a nice place to live, wonderful wife, good job, plenty of possessions, good health. In general, I have it far better than probably 95% of the world's population...maybe even more. I'm just looking for a reason...or even just a little validation...about why things are the way they are.

All of my life I've tried to do things the right way. I finished school, I obeyed the law, I've had good jobs, worked hard and paid my taxes. I've served my country and my community. I've stood for what I believed and I've done my part in the political process to let my elected representatives know what I expected of them and that I held them accountable for properly administering our government. I tried to raise my kids to be good, productive citizens.

But lately it seems that no matter how hard a guy works, how much he participates and tries to be a good citizen, the "system" kind of leaves him behind. We have a government that's out of control in terms of our laws and Constitution. It seems our elected officials only listen to two classes of people: those with money and power and those on the opposite end of the scale. Obviously the elites are shielded from much of society's ills through wealth and the ability to mingle with those that make the rules. And those on the other end - the ones who take the most and contribute the least - are rewarded at the expense of the givers and providers. The average guy, like me and probably most on this forum, is so often the guy who's punished through more government intervention into his life. Everything seems to be backwards and there doesn't appear to be any way to effectively reverse our course. I figure (if I'm lucky) I have about 25 years left on this rock. This country and our society that so many fought so hard to build and protect is spinning out of control and there's no one at the stick to pull us out of this nosedive.

I'm thinking more in philosophical terms. Probably the way a lot of you think. I like the principles upon which this great country was founded, what our founders endured to build the legacy they've entrusted to people today. And I'm really saddened that few seem to take that responsibility seriously. It's maddening. Mostly because the people who should know better seem to be the ones who do the least to protect our liberties and way of life.

That's where the helpless feeling comes in. What more can an individual do? Are we just at the point where a sea-change in our American society has occurred and it's now time to adapt to the "new way"? I don't think it has anything to do with age or where/when a person was raised. I say that because I see many people my age and older who have similar backgrounds that think completely opposite of how I do and seem to be perfectly content with the way things are on the path were on. Would it be wise, or just easier, to decide to just "roll with it"?

The government has taken from us "givers" all of our lives. Now they're gonna want to take more and there appears to be little any of us can do to stop it. Some on our side are already talking about further compromise in the way we live and exercise our rights. I'm really tired of always being on the side that's expected to give the most in a compromise. I always thought that was a two-way street. Apparently I was wrong.

I don't have the answers. I'd like to.


Run for office?

[Bailey Guns]

Run for office?

Thought about it. I don't have the temperament to deal with the people I'd have to deal with.

[dwalker460]

I get that, I myself do not have the personality to deal with dumbasses on a daily basis, which explains why I work alone so much.

[Great-Kazoo]

I feel the same way.

Ditto. We're adrift on a sea of political correctness and the ship we're on has leaks.

[bogie]

Thought about it. I don't have the temperament to deal with the people I'd have to deal with.

Do some pushups when they piss you off. We need more people like you out there representing our voice... you continuously and succinctly describe the problems we are dealing with. You'd have my vote.

[Bailey Guns]

Thanks, but...that's a lot of pushups. I'd never get anything else done.

[DireWolf]

One problem is that when good people run for office who are prepared to change the status-quo, the media tears and twists at everything that person has done in the past, and presents it in the most wrong-headed, negative aspect which they can come up with...

[bogie]

Thanks, but...that's a lot of pushups. I'd never get anything else done.

WEll you'd get super-ripped!

[buffalobo]

Well said Bailey. You describe the frustration that those who stand on founding principles feel. A quickening is at hand. We will soon have the choice, pledge all that we are/have to those principles or fade to the background and just try to survive, sadly going along with the flow.

[MCarp71]

your not alone brother!!

[DavieD55]

You're absolutely right Bailey.

[BPTactical]

Yup, we are an island apart.

And running for office is where we can begin to take our country back.

Otherwise we are just watching the movie.

[anomad]

Yup, we are an island apart.

And running for office is where we can begin to take our country back.

Otherwise we are just watching the movie.

Civil service shouldn't be overlooked either.

[ray1970]

Yep. I'm so sick of taking it in the ass while others ride the governments coat tails that I am about a stones throw away from walking away from a decent career and finding a way to get some of that government cheese for myself. I thought about going the other direction and being one of those powerful, rich, wealthy type but the other route seemed a lot easier.

[speedysst]

One problem is that when good people run for office who are prepared to change the status-quo, the media tears and twists at everything that person has done in the past, and presents it in the most wrong-headed, negative aspect which they can come up with...

Lately though, it seems that this only happens with conservatives. The liberal media seems to ignore or underplay anything negative about liberal politicians and this last election was a perfect example of how biased the media really is.

[mbl]

I could not agree with Bailey's thoughts more. To me, the more concerning issue with our elected officials is that they are suppose to represent and serve the people, but it seems more like we are here to serve them.

I think if you look at how the healthcare changes were pushed through, with a lot of voiced opposition, it is clear that our "representative's" are not concerned with what we want. They know better than us how we should live our lives.

[TTWHTD]

Thought about it. I don't have the temperament to deal with the people I'd have to deal with.

And THATS the platform you run on.

You haven't even begun your campaign and you have my vote, just because of that.

[cstone]

Reload more, so you can shoot more.

I don't think about it when I'm at the range and I'm on the line.

I don't think about it when I am fretting over a .1 grain load difference or .001 OAL.

We do the best with what we have. I think that life teaches us humility. We did not create the universe, the planet, our nation, so what about life leads you to believe you have control over any of those things?

Even when something is in our hands, there is a limit to how much control we have over it. Evereything has it's tolerances. If you spent your entire life as a machinist, you still could never create a perfect cube. At some point, good enough is the best a man can do.

I used to set a goal for myself that no matter the situation, I would leave things better than I found them. I learned that was not always possible and that with other human beings involved, it made me feel like a Gerbil on a wheel.

Then I decided that Dr's had the right idea, "First, do no harm." That was a losing cause. Time after time, I ran into situations where doing anything was harmful and doing nothing even worse.

Looking back, I realize that I was learning the most important lesson in humility. Life is not about me. The world doesn't exist for me. I am a part of the world that I touch. No more or less important than any of the other 8.5 billion human beings on the planet at any given time.

So why are we here, at this place, at this time?

Why do I care if my groups are a little to the left and low?

Why do I care if my powder measure is off by .2 on every 10th throw?

Why do I care if some people pay .5% more in the medicare taxes next year?

Why do I care if some people think I'm crazy because they believe I'm a bitter clinger?

I don't know the answers, but it doesn't stop me from caring about these things. Maybe what we care about says as much about us as any answers we seem to come up with. The fact that we still care about anything gives me hope for our future. Maybe there are no answers in this life, only questions.

I have lots of questions, and I will keep looking for answers.

Be safe.

[DavieD55]

And THATS the platform you run on.

You haven't even begun your campaign and you have my vote, just because of that.

+1

[Bailey Guns]

Lots of good life lessons and insight in that post, cstone.

[Big Wall]

I feel the same way. I wish I had an answer for this.

[HoneyBadger]

I think most of us agree. I'm a "young" guy and I'm very stressed about the future for raising my kids. Why bother working hard when you are punished for it? Why not take welfare and food stamps at someone else's expense? It's downright frustrating. Thanks for posting this BG.

[cstone]

I think most of us agree. I'm a "young" guy and I'm very stressed about the future for raising my kids. Why bother working hard when you are punished for it? Why not take welfare and food stamps at someone else's expense? It's downright frustrating. Thanks for posting this BG.

Why not?

Because then we would be making fun of and ridiculing you for your choice. You are better than that and you know it. Everyone is tempted to give in. The rest of us are here to make sure you don't. [Beer]

[ChadAmberg]

I was one of the earliest bloggers out there, ranting and raving about politics and everything else. I paid attention to everything out there.
I finally had to stop simply because the more you know, the more pissed off you get. I found myself constantly pissed off and it wasn't a good way to live.

I think the problem is the 24x7 news cycle. Not because its generally crap and rehashes of the same stuff over and over again, it's because I think humans aren't wired for being in crisis mode all the time. 50 years ago, you would never know all the crap going on, since there's always something bad happening. Now you know there is always something bad going on, and it's relentless, it's always happening. You can't keep up. Every headline you read makes things worse.

I quit paying attention to the politics and current events. I shrank my focus down to close friends and family members that matter. It's funny, but facebook is actually good... you can see that normal people are having normal lives with their friends and family, birthday parties, going out for pizza, playing ball. For me I took up fishing again, and started reloading. I went on a few short trips with my wife, and we got a new dog. I spend more time reading this forum because for the most part, it's a good group of people talking about something they enjoy doing. I'm focusing on things that matter to me, not just things that are going on all over.

[Troublco]

Bailey and Cstone, well said.

I'd say that most of us on this site feel very similar to what you describe, I know I do. But I have found that the old adage "Birds of a feather flock together" is true. People with common values, principles, and virtues tend to seek one another out. It doesn't mean they all think exactly alike, it simply means that people with a lot of common principles wind up finding others that are similar.

I like what Cstone said. I'll throw my spin on it. The very fact that some of us care enough to, say, do a good job in a given situation even if the only person who knows what a good job they did is themselves, shows what kind of person that individual is. And that's what makes those people different from the ones who exist with their hands out, looking for their next entitlement. Or from the ones who are looking to separate those who have worked hard for what they have from that which they have worked hard for, so as to give it to those with their hands out. Sort of like my version of the old military saying "What goes TDY, stays TDY"; I feel is better expressed as "What goes TDY, defines your character." People who do the right thing when no one else is looking are the ones I prefer to associate with.

If we just bury our heads in the sand, and ignore it all, then life may be easier. For a little while. But what if our Founding Fathers had done the same? If that little tax was just written off as the King's due, and so what if we don't have representation? If I remember right, as I understand it the population was 1/3 for Independence, 1/3 against it, and 1/3 of us just didn't care. And while it's difficult for individuals to make a difference (but not impossible!) when those individuals come together they can make things happen. Ignorance is bliss, but only for a time. I feel that those who want a better future for themselves and their families, owe it to themselves and those families not to just pull the blinders in and exist in a bubble.

And I've also heard that the best candidate for political office is the one who doesn't want it. If we had more people who didn't want to spend their lives in Washington, who just wanted to make things better and then go home and back to their lives and live with the consequences of their actions while in Washington, maybe the system would work as it was originally intended. But as long as the politicians exempt themselves from the laws they make, any change will likely be for the worse.

I'd vote for you, Bailey. And for Cstone, too.

[gnihcraes]

I give the OP Rant a 10 + 1 and the thread a 12.

A friend and I go out as often as possible for "Pie" - sit at a local establishment and get all the frustrations out.

You're not alone Bailey

[XC700116]

We do the best with what we have. I think that life teaches us humility. We did not create the universe, the planet, our nation, so what about life leads you to believe you have control over any of those things?



I feel the same as well overall, and agree with BG and CS on the general feeling and context of this point EXCEPT the one thing highlighted above. The thing that makes me think I/we do or maybe can, is the very existance of this country. If the founding fathers had thought this way, and not been pushed into the corner, what we know and love of this country may not have ever come to pass.

I don't have any answers either, but this is the one thing I hold onto, and pray that someday, someone, maybe even myself, can be blessed with an idea or ideas that can turn it around, and the guts, talent, and influence to make it happen.

I find it sad that I find comfort in the fact that I don't have children to raise in this climate.

[theGinsue]

I've been saying this for the last several years...

While I saw it coming on for many years, somewhere around 3 - 5 years ago there was a flip.
What used to be right, is now wrong. What used to be wrong is now right.

There is no turning back & we are all screwed.

[cstone]

There is no turning back & we are all screwed.

With or without the KY?

It does make a difference. I'm just sayin' [Flower]

[ben4372]

When did gun guys get so deep? Good for us. It is maddening when doing you best is not hat much better than doing nothing. By that I mean working shitty hours out in the cold, dealing with waking up early, eating poo from a boss or customer. I do alright, but I see people that do none of this and live a comfy life. I wouldn't care as much if they would let me keep what is mine an let me persue happiness.

[wctriumph]

I am in agreement as well.

I blame women's lib.

[GilpinGuy]

BG - excellent post.

Yes, I feel the same way. Once becoming "politically aware" (roughly 1990) I quickly realized that all I can really do is pull the "right" lever and hope for the best after that, since the politicians basically have control until the next time I could pull the lever. Yeah, I can write letters to people who don't give a crap what I think or say, but what's the point of that? MAYBE if you are in a tight district it could make a difference...maybe. But if you are a conservative in Boulder, for example, save your stamp - nobody gives a shit what you have to say.

When I was in high school or college, I read a book that said something like "Always do your best at whatever you're doing - you're there doing it anyway, so why not just do your best?" The theory was that you'll be rewarded in the end.

I do try to follow this philosophy...but man, it's tough to believe in it these days. I mean I get laid off for bullshit reasons last year - I won't get into all the details here, it doesn't matter, but it was bullshit Upper Management covering their ass bullshit. So the little guys (me and 5 other guys) took the fall for one Upper Management asshole's bad decision.

I did the best I could there every day for 7 years and got shit-canned for the first time in my life for some dickless upper management assholes bad call. So much for doing your best will be rewarded. It meant nothing. I could have just skated by and got paid the exact same for those 7 years. Sad.

14 months of looking hard for a good, comparable job. Nothing - thanks O! That stimulus worked fucking great...asshole. Then they offer me a part time position at the pee-on level. Gotta take it. New baby, broke, yadda, yadda, poor me.

Feeling pretty hopeless. I hide these thoughts from the wife and kids as best I can. It's freaking hard though. This is a great place to vent. Yeah, I know...nobody got past the first paragraph. [werdo]

[Skully]

Excellent post OP,

I have been talking with my wife and other friends from this board and feel so helpless. This country I grew up in is not here anymore. I said the pledge of allegience every morning of school for 12 years my life I was proud of being a citizen, proud of my grandfather who helped defeat oppression in Germany in WWII...............

How do I go about my pride/patrotism and beliefs in this great Republic when I see crap everyday on TV that makes me so angry ..............................

How do I successfully pass it down to my kids?

[Ronin13]

Carl, I love it! I feel the same way. I ask myself every day "Will the people ever wake up?" We have this problem in America that people are so content (not all people) with seeing their liberties eroded for some BS reason or another. Eventually it could all be gone, and people will be left standing waist deep in the ashes wondering how it happened.

[Sawin]

Americans need to collectively decide what it means to be American... We've lost our country's identity and the values that once made our country great. How can we begin to restore the country's identity and society, if we cannot even identify what is at the root of the problem, and at the root of our identity as a sovereign nation? I contend that this country must return to valuing freedom and the Family unit.

My friend Steve said yesterday, and I could not agree with him more, that: "The family unit is the single most vital component of a society. Strong families are the building blocks of strong communities. The home is where morals are taught. Where rules are set. Standards are created. It's where children learn kindness and confidence. It's where they experience discipline. It's where love leads every decision."

Without the solid foundation of a family, and the support structure and guidance that they provide, we are destined to have an increasing level of behavioral issues, less respect for one's self and for others, dwindling concern for the well being (and freedoms) of others, the list goes on.

Religion does not have to be ones moral compass, although personally it is (at least partially) mine, but having a moral compass and valuing the people and blessings around us, is a necessity and I think we've collectively lost it.