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?