Politics. Ballot measures. Anyone else had up to HERE with it all?

[Zerbie]

Hi everyone,

I was going to PM a few folk, but decided instead to put this out there for wider commentary from the whole gang.

With all the political negativity going on, especially with the ballot measure here and the ones in CA and FL, I've noticed the last several weeks I have not felt like myself. Not in weeks. I feel like I'm slogging through a sea of negativity at every turn.

Anyone else feel overwhelmed by all this? It's the main reason why I've withdrawn some from participating in this forum.

Z

[Gregory_de_Bois]

Politics is driving me insane right now! It seems like I am being bombarded with political/propagandic messages everywhere. Then there is the delightful commentary and debating in which I am forced to participate. It is annoying. I want to be able to rationally discuss and understand with individuals a way to solve the problems. Ideological battles are beginning to take a toll on me.:(

[tdogg]

I'm drained. Emotionally and mentally. It's all starting to sound like the teacher on Charlie Brown - blah blah blah. All I'm seeing is Yes on 8 signs and TV ads everywhere, on the radio even. I know we have less funds and so the No campaign is waiting to air everything at the last minute. But still, it gets disheartening.

The debates have me crazy. I swear not to watch them, then I do and then I think how can another debate possibly add anything? I'm so glad this is the last one. Let's just vote already.

Today, an uplifting moment. Getting ready for work, local news channel on, and the new No on 8 ad. It's a good one. Really good. But still, I'm tired. I probably need to volunteer again so I at least see some positives.

I have never ever been so ready for an election to be over already. I'm thinking of taking Wed Nov 5th off work. I'll probably be up date and completely drained. But then, often decisions aren't final for another day or two.

[Rick336]

I've lost a ton of money in the stock market the past couple of weeks. I'm scared of losing my retirement and my house. When the stock market dropped almost 800 points two weeks ago I got two hours of sleep that night. At 3:00 AM I took a walk through my neighborhood and noticed a lot of lights and TVs on inside houses. Apparently lots of other people couldn't sleep either.

But I've also been busy down at the Democrat Headquarters helping to get Obama elected and turn North Carolina from red to blue. The office is buzzing with volunteers and lots of excitement. Being involved in a movement makes me feel more alive than I've felt in a long time. This is a very exciting time in American history and to be a part of it is very invigorating.

So with the scary economic turmoil and the fierce debates and the excitement of the campaigns, I've experienced a roller coaster of emotions since mid-September. Emotional times like this is what my Momma used to call, "the meat of life".

So when Wall Street fell 733 points today, I just shrugged and kept stuffing door hangers.

Rick

[u-dog]

The uncertainty of the economy and the election add to my overall level of anxiety. When Nov 4 has come and gone and we know what is what in all these elections it will be a relief.

[nervezapper]

I've noticed that in general most people are experiencing that "weird" sort of energy. Even my minister who is normally very upbeat is really feeling the effects.

You are not alone!!

[BruceChris]

"May you live in interesting times" . :confused: . :eek: . :( . :headbang:

I am now deleting large amounts of solicitations for my money and/or vote from my email. Looking forward to Nov 4th.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[ctozrn]

Yes, I too am feeling it here. Part of it is my own fault. I am home during the day so I have MSNBC on all the time. I also read a lot of political blogs on the web. It is driving me crazy!!! I keep saying everyday that I am not going to do it again but I do! I check the polls constantly. That along with my current breakup adds up to a lot of negativity and sadness. I plan on going to the gym today and tomorrow to work some of this off! I also need to get back down to the Obama HQ to volunteer. Like Rick I found that being there really helps. Makes you feel like you are part of the solution.

Christine

[Zerbie]

What a relief to know I'm normal! I was getting down on myself for not being more positive and cheerful. For getting angry, for getting down in the dumps so often.

I really took a spin down when the economy finally flopped. That, plus the racist sentiment springing up all around the country as a spin-off of the presidential campaign, on top of the anti-gay ballot measure here really got me into a corner where I no longer am able to access things like patience, understanding, calm, or acceptance. It's like the positivity well is EMPTY.

I feel resentful.
The one thing that keeps me positive during turns of events like this is taking positive action, even if I can't be sure it will make a difference, because simply taking action in empowering. So it's good for the mental health if nothing else. The problem is, I've spent most of the past few years until this Sept putting my degree on hold so I could volunteer long hours in advocacy and activism. I can no longer afford to put the degree on hold. I have a big event coming up next week, and I can't take time away from it to volunteer.

Meanwhile. There must be several hundred YES on Prop 102 signs in this neighborhood. I have only ever seen ONE 'no' sign anywhere. It is driving me to a level of constant irritation and anger.

The other day I told Paul and Tdogg that I can't go to the grocery store without passing about 9 of those YES signs. Well, now, there are 3 more of them encircling the corner and driveway to the grocery store, & they're BILLBOARD size. The tendency then is to enter the grocery store hostile and looking for a fight.
:mad:


Y'all are right. This election needs OVER in a major way. I'm a little worried about Nov 5th too - I might re-schedule my work for that day in case 102 passes.

[Jennifer5]

You know, I knew this was coming and it didn't even bother me all that much at first. Now, I want it to end.

I knew that McCain would have no problem going negative, but part of me was really hoping that Obama wouldn't ever go there. I suppose it was unavoidable?

Unfortunately you pointed out an important point Zerbie, it's not even just the presidental race. The negativity is multiplied because of the local elections.

Right now, I'm incredibly happy that I rely on the internet for all my my news, I can't imagine having TV ads too right now. The ads on facebook are horrible and that's just one example.

You are not at all alone Zerbie... I think must people are really sick of it!:(

[Jennifer5]

I started this with you in mind Zerbie...

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5472

... enjoy! :love:

[Rick336]

Meanwhile. There must be several hundred YES on Prop 102 signs in this neighborhood. I have only ever seen ONE 'no' sign anywhere. It is driving me to a level of constant irritation and anger.

The other day I told Paul and Tdogg that I can't go to the grocery store without passing about 9 of those YES signs. Well, now, there are 3 more of them encircling the corner and driveway to the grocery store, & they're BILLBOARD size. The tendency then is to enter the grocery store hostile and looking for a fight.

Zerbie,

Wow. No wonder you've been in a bad mood. Those "yes" signs must be tough to deal with. At least here In North Carolina all I have to see is McCain/Palin signs. It would be much worse to have to see my neighbors advertising bigotry. I imagine it would be like seeing yard signs in the sixties that said "VOTE TO KEEP LUNCH COUNTERS ALL WHITE!!"

I'm sorry that you are confronted with such open hostility towards equality. I know Tdogg, labguy22 and others in California are dealing with the same thing. On top of all the other bad news going on in the country, I'm sure this makes it all much worse.

November 4th will be here soon. ;)

Rick

[tymejumper]

Yes, I am very angry and depressed about the whole thing. It just seems for every step we take there are tons of people sticking out their collective feet to trip us. I am so tired of people treating us like we are not human. Like we don't have the rights of a dog. That we are so second class. Of them thinking they have a right to vote on who we love and my marriage. When do I get to vote on their marriage? On their rights and if they are citizens? Why is it ok for them to vote on my life?

My teen says I am so cynical. I guess I am lately, after all, I am tired of just being dismissed. It makes me angry I was married to a man before and I got all these rights(by default) and I am the EXACT same person as before, but because I came out and had the guts to love who I should have the first time around, I am now not as good as before. I'm totally sick of it all.

We have the proposition 2 here for stem cell research. In Michigan, there is a church on every stinking corner, especially west Michigan where I live. That means we are very uptight and religious, and not willing to open up our minds here!(already made up my mind don't confuse me with the facts.) There are people discussing that at work. Then I get to hear how Obama supports gay rights at work and how it's bringing down family values from one of the staff that has no clue I am lesbian(not everyone knows). I can't even say anything because work is not the place to say it. Some other people who do know jump in if I am there and stop it. They defend gay rights but I am sick of the ignorance in general.

I have just decided to turn off the t.v. and only watch horror films or Scifi things. I have been watching a lot of movies we have. All the Indiana Jones, the Star Wars and the 31 days of Horror on TNT. It's much better by far.

[Rick336]

Yes, I am very angry and depressed about the whole thing. It just seems for every step we take there are tons of people sticking out their collective feet to trip us. I am so tired of people treating us like we are not human. Like we don't have the rights of a dog. That we are so second class. Of them thinking they have a right to vote on who we love and my marriage. When do I get to vote on their marriage? On their rights and if they are citizens? Why is it ok for them to vote on my life?

My teen says I am so cynical. I guess I am lately, after all, I am tired of just being dismissed. It makes me angry I was married to a man before and I got all these rights(by default) and I am the EXACT same person as before, but because I came out and had the guts to love who I should have the first time around, I am now not as good as before. I'm totally sick of it all.

We have the proposition 2 here for stem cell research. In Michigan, there is a church on every stinking corner, especially west Michigan where I live. That means we are very uptight and religious, and not willing to open up our minds here!(already made up my mind don't confuse me with the facts.) There are people discussing that at work. Then I get to hear how Obama supports gay rights at work and how it's bringing down family values from one of the staff that has no clue I am lesbian(not everyone knows). I can't even say anything because work is not the place to say it. Some other people who do know jump in if I am there and stop it. They defend gay rights but I am sick of the ignorance in general.

Damn right!! Well said!

I'm feeling this same anger. I'm also feeling fear and disgust and frustration. I haven't watched the national news in more than a week. Who needs to be told over and over how bad it's getting. What am I supposed to do with that information?

And I'm also real pissed off about the homophobic attitudes about gay marriage. The narrow mindedness of so many people makes me want to tell them all to kiss my hind end.

So I try to focus on the fact that Obama is ahead in the polls, gas prices are going down, heating costs are falling, the drought here in the South has eased up significantly, the leaves are turning red, North Carolina is turning blue, and the holidays are just ahead. It helps put a smile on my face.

http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/th/detail-page/SmilingPumpkin.jpg



Rick

[Zerbie]

Yes.

I have taken most of the week avoiding world issues and politics as much as possible in a life where I can't leave my house without being bombarded by anti-gay sentiment at, roughly, every third yard. (The YES signs are multiplying - though made of some kind of poster board, I am sure they have discovered sexual reproduction. There seem to be at least 10 more now than there were last week.)

If I'm not going to contribute to all the negativity and anger that's going around right now, I have to take my head out of that mindset any way that works. I'm focusing on music. I'm singing a lot. We've been shopping - as in, making special purchases for the home, well, and some more cuddly stuffed toys for ourselves. :love:

This morning I awoke elatedly happy from a dream that I was volunteering hard core for the NO 102 campaign, which in reality I haven't got time to do. But the dream substitute was so convincing while it lasted that I awoke feeling empowered anyway. :p And it has occurred to me since, that working on my singing is my way of making a social statement and is a form of speaking out against Prop 102, and all the other ugliness. So there is where my energy shall go for the next two weeks.

Like you both have said, putting my attention on other things, things that are positive and uplifting. If I think about it, I haven't been alive yet at a moment when the world was not having a crisis here, there, or somewhere. It's going to be this way. So our job is to make more of what is best in it.
:pray:

[tdogg]

Two new No on 8 signs in my neighborhood! When I saw, felt like knocking on their door and giving them a huge hug! And a couple neighborhood Yes signs are no longer their (one is sitting on the ground and the other???). Ok, much better driving back and forth to work.

Called No on 8, going to volunteer end of this week and next weekend and possibly election day. Late in the game, but it will be difficult enough waiting to see if my marriage will exist on Nov 5th or not, might as well become more involved - talking to voters. Trying to match the Yes call for call, and wondering if we are doing anything about the Yes bus tour in the state. :(

Zerb, did you have your recital? If so, how did that go? I would love to hear you sing sometime!

[Zerbie]

Zerb, did you have your recital? If so, how did that go? I would love to hear you sing sometime!

It's on Friday. :D:love:

[tdogg]

GOOD LUCK ZERBIE!!! :D:love::love:

I volunteered for several days in the next 2 weeks for Equalityfor all/No on 8. It's mainly phone banking. But on election day we'll spend the entire time polls are open to get our message out in person. Keeping with local requirements of course. ;) I figured it would be better to be out and about with a group of like-minded folks doing something, than sitting at work and home worrying about election results.

Meanwhile, I feel like we should have a HUGE 3D forums party when election is over, no matter how it comes out. :aparty::rainbow::love: Ahhhh, wouldn't that be heaven!!!

[Jennifer5]

Meanwhile, I feel like we should have a HUGE 3D forums party when election is over, no matter how it comes out. :aparty::rainbow::love: Ahhhh, wouldn't that be heaven!!!
Yes, heaven! I would love to be able to attend such an event. :love: :aparty:

[Zerbie]

GOOD LUCK ZERBIE!!! :D:love::love:

:love:Thank you!! :)


But on election day we'll spend the entire time polls are open to get our message out in person. Keeping with local requirements of course. ;) I figured it would be better to be out and about with a group of like-minded folks doing something, than sitting at work and home worrying about election results.

I so hear you! You will be so glad you did it. Especially when Prop 8 gets defeated, you can say you were a big part of the reason why. :)

I don't know if the NO 102 campaign is going to plan to have volunteers outside polling locations. I did that for the NO 107 campaign 2 years ago -- spent the whole day, from about 11 to 7, standing by myself outside the legal limit from a polling place with NO 107 literature. It was a little intimidating at times, and I did get screamed at. But I was also approached by people who thanked me for being there. I'd do it again, if the campaign plans for such a thing. Though for this one, which REALLY has the angry folks riled up in a ginormous way, I think I'd rather not stand there alone this time.


Meanwhile, I feel like we should have a HUGE 3D forums party when election is over, no matter how it comes out. :aparty::rainbow::love: Ahhhh, wouldn't that be heaven!!!

Yes, heaven! I would love to be able to attend such an event. :love: :aparty:

Ahh, so are we all gonna crash Daniel's house? :p:lol:

Just kidding. Of course not. We're west coast girls. We ain't goin' all that way. We'll have the party someplace out west!
How about Phoenix, a week or two after the election? ;)

[Jennifer5]

Ahh, so are we all gonna crash Daniel's house? :p:lol:

Just kidding. Of course not. We're west coast girls. We ain't goin' all that way. We'll have the party someplace out west!
How about Phoenix, a week or two after the election? ;)

You'd probably get a decent crowd if you threw a party! :cool:
Unfortunately, for me anywhere other then Seattle area would be unrealistic, especially during the schoolyear.:o

[tdogg]

I'll be there Z! Nov 17 - 20. Anyone else care to join us??? It's for training, but of course we are fitting in a visit! :D:love: Can't wait.

[Zerbie]

Okay, just checked my schedule, and it looks like I'll be open for dinner on either that Tuesday or Weds. T, when it gets closer, you & I will chat offline and plan exactly what we're doing to hang out. I think hubby will probably also have one or both of those evenings free, so we can all meet somewhere and just gab over dinner.

[tdogg]

Sounds perfect!

Seems like forever away, there is so much going on at work and with the election. Let us know how it goes this Friday.