Helpless?

[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.

[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'

[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.