Helpless?

[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.

[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.