It saddens me to create that subject line, but I cannot see how it is not entirely true.

The only saving grace- if it can be called such- is that with conditions on this country now so degraded, and with this country being invaded with the enthusiastic assistance of the Biden administration, even the most disinterested among us have finally begun to wake up. It seems to me that the midnight passing by Congress of a 1.2 trillion dollar omnibus bill might have been the final straw for anyone who is not in a coma.

They just don't care what we think. They don't care how bad it's gotten for so many Americans. They don't care that working-class people are paying for groceries with credit cards and are unable to pay those bills. Some people can barely afford housing. Medical care has long been a financial obscenity for many Americans.

The Federal government is allowing the detritus of the world to flood over our borders, going so far as to threaten to arrest national guardsman trying to stop it, and sue states for enforcing laws which by all rights should the solemn responsibility of the government.

At state and local levels, we are witnessing an all-out assault on innocent children, with drag queens, mentally-ill grade school teachers, woke school board members and on and on.

And all of the above is merely scratching the surface of the issues we face.

Congress does not listen to us. Many years ago, Ralph Nader said that the only difference between the Democrat and Republican parties is the velocity at which their knees hit the floor when corporate America comes knocking on the door. I don't think even that difference exists still.

To avoid listening to a non-stop wail of complaints in this forum about conditions in this country, I encourage members to appreciate the good things in this life- and there are good things in this life, but the issues have become overwhelming. All but the very wealthy seem unhappy, angry, fed-up, frustrated to the point of wanting to scream. This is unsustainable. Consequently, people are predicting that Armageddon is at hand, in some form or another. It's understandable, though perhaps illogical. Change can be brought about in less than catastrophic ways, but such things require cooperation and reason, a willingness to find and work towards a common goal. Other ways of bringing about profound change seem more likely these days. However, history has shown us that people may learn to live in a cesspool for years, decades, before they have had enough.

Recently, I posted about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Americans- whether or not they realize it in the historical context- now feel much like the Colonists of the late 18th Century felt. Whether or not we pull ourselves up by our boot straps remains to be seen, but in the meantime, reflect on this a bit:


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

https://twitter.com/GenFlynn/s.../1771899767586488691

There is nothing new under the sun. 20th President of these United States, James Garfield said;

“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.”

I agree with everything you expressed. I do not believe our government will fix itself. I do not believe the public can agree on what the principles of liberty are, the definition of liberty nor the value of it. To me it seems our government must be interrupted. Whether that is forced by revolution or by collapse remains the question. It is a matter of time before one of the two occur. I simply don’t see any other course of correction forthcoming. One thing that has changed is my allegiance to our government. I untethered myself from it and resolved allegiance to the constitution.

I totally agree with you.
My congressman voted for it. I fired off a rant to him. Not likely he will ever read but I told him I wont vote for him any longer. I know this sounds trite but what's my alternative other than writing my post to him?
I sure cant run for Congress, I don't have the brains nor do I like feeling like a slimey used car salesman.

It’s not Republican or Democrat, it’s haves and have nots. And what they have, or don’t have is power. The problem is that those who have power and influence will NOT relinquish it, regardless of the costs. They will manipulate the laws without technically breaking them and when that doesn’t work, they’ll outright break the law. This phenomenon is not unique to the federal government either, it’s present at all levels - from town boards to the presidency. The rot is endemic and will only be fixed when enough people wake up.

I was just having this conversation with a neighbor of mine. In his 70's and from Long Island. If shenanigans happens again this election, will WE do anything this time? I've started to be more active in local government but being in a liberal city, its not doing much.

There are so many instances, actions of pure greed, corruption, criminal acts in both government and society today, and it is hitting us so fast, so often, it is almost overwhelming. It is like an alternate universe. If one of you transported back in time 20 years ago and told me this would be happening, I would have said no way, not a chance.

I am not concerned for me or my wife, I'm concerned for my son's future, what it may be in 10, 20 years. Even though he is a young conservative, somewhat aware of today's issues, he remains youthfully idealistic in his future, has hope that life will be great as long as he works harder than the next guy, stays on the path of good and right. And he gives ME hope with his attitude, that the evilness that permeates the world today will falter soon, that good will overcome evil, particularly in government.

quote:

If one of you transported back in time 20 years ago and told me this would be happening, I would have said no way, not a chance.

For as much heat as he has taken over the years, I remember hearing back in 2005 Glenn Beck say that in a few decades you won’t even recognize your country. Glenn has been correct about a lot of these things. That was back when he only had the radio show.

We live in the corruption the creates third world cultures. Get ready.

I have to ask,
Could a portion of the problem be caused by the huge number of people that want and need to be governed,
cared for and maintained in relation to the number of people that

Want to be involved with that
Governing, caring and maintaining ?


We were taught in Junior High that if you want to be governed , it's essential that you take part on a regular basis.
Or
How you get governed will be problematic.

Basically you can only get out as much as you put in.

Depressingly true.

RMD

quote:

They just don't care what we think. They don't care how bad it's gotten for so many Americans.

Preach!

And you're absolutely right. It's not about not finding a politician that agrees with your basic moral compass - it's that they no longer adhere to one...at all.

Citizens United, in 2010, was the game changer, to me. Yep they care more about corporate money than citizens so even the name of the landmark Supreme Court Ruling, is laughable. It still makes me sick to my stomach.

My only solution for myself, is to move rural, way rural, and I’m working for that, everyday. I can’t fix any of it but I sure can decrease the population density.

I'm starting to believe we won't be able to vote our way out of this. Sickens me. I think I'm just going to back off from twitter and news until the election. It is really starting to upset my soul. It's not lost on me that everything they are doing is to demoralize us and give us no hope. Millions and millions of people that don't care about America and worship the devil.

I'm also beginning to wonder if our society will have the stones to do what needs to be done in the future. All options seem like potential and or guaranteed hell on earth

I remember when I first entered federal service in the late 1970s, we were explicitly told we were stewards of public funds and trust and sworn our allegiance to the Constitution and those appointed over us. Over the years that ethos eroded into we answer to Congress, not the American people. Disillusioning to say the least but reflects how the federal government changed over the intervening decades. Washington has indeed become very insular, answering only to the various swamp creatures, irrespective of political party.

quote:

Originally posted by uvahawk:
Over the years that ethos eroded into we answer to Congress, not the American people.

I was around long enough to see that further erode to "we answer to our appropriators" and "we answer to our oversight committee."

In truth, they answer to no one. Got marching orders from the administration that you don't like? Stonewall and delay and drag feet, because the decks are stacked against anyone actually losing a job over outright insubordination. IG report eviscerated your agency/program? No worries, because "our friends" on the relevant Committee will explain that the answer to whatever systemic failings are brought to light is "send more money."

How many on "our side" in Congress routinely vote with the other side against our interests? They'll claim it's on some deeply held "principle" but in reality it's because a) their own personal interests dictate it and b) they rightly believe that 95% of their constituents will not notice or care. (Don't believe me? Stand at the front doors of any convenience store in your neighborhood and ask five people to name either of their U.S. Senators or their Representative. That's the baseline of interest. What you see on this board doesn't remotely resemble the level of knowledge most people have about politics or government.)

If you look at the rampant cronyism and patronage in Federal service prior to civil service reforms, your first thought might be "Well, good thing THAT'S gone." Except that it might not be. Politically-motivated cronies are at least a unified team with whoever their partron is, which means that things actually get done, and have some small fear of what the citizenry might do come next election.

Its one thing for government to be corrupt, driven by greed, inefficient and non-functional. But now the average citizen is often viewed by those in power as an enemy.
I cant say when, how or in what form it may take, but I believe a tipping point is coming. And it may be catastrophic for us all.

It's almost as if they HATE America, and they HATE Americans!

When younger I believed that we need good people working for the government and in offices and if you weren’t willing to step up and change the system from the inside, you allowed corruption. How naive I was as I felt the futility of that fight to make something good from the inside daily. The machine was barely affected and never wore down. I always stayed honorable and when I felt the system would no longer allow that I hung up the spurs. Naive or not, I think now more than ever we need real leadership throughout govt but can’t see any way that will happen without cataclysm and beginning anew. I already live in rural TN so locally things are really good but I swear, this administration makes Jimmy Carter look like a genius.