How many think things will get better? I think the country has been sliding downhill for a while and I do not see it ever getting better. The will and desire is just not there. And the longer it goes, the next generation has no experience with better

And why come here to post how you think the country is doomed?

What is it you're hoping to get, a sad ass conversation with others who feel the same way?

What is the point of your post?

And the other side feels the same way. Everyone swimming in a confirmation bubble of gloom.

I can tell you my attitude improved significantly when I stopped logging onto the Drudge Report, and any social media. Try that and see how it goes. I'll assume you already canceled cable, because it's 2022. But if not, that's a prerequisite. I'm not hiding from the news, but I am ducking the commercial media fire hose of doom and gloom.

My parents watch a 24x7 stream of shit news on the TV. It's nauseating to walk into their house. I turn it off, but then it just comes out of their heads as an echo the whole time I'm there.

Things are getting better, and if that isn't apparent, then the source of news is in question. Start with dumping the concept the mass media is somehow being fair and balanced. The 6 corporations that manage our news actually have one majority owner. That isn't going to contribute to wide variety of viewpoints.

If an assessment of doom and gloom is what is percieved in the news, then stop watching their news - go somewhere else and get the facts, not their spun slant.

What is "good" news? Would it be information that events are taking place that will reverse our current national course? Then we are definitely making it a political conversation, and that requires listing who has been indicted and the convictions handed down so far. There are actually numerous ones and the originating investigation isn't finished. If someone's news source is being "fair and balanced" you should be able to list 3-5 convictions in the last two months.

Elizabeth Holmes, Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Clinesmith, Jessie Smollet - four right up front. Are any of these names a known news story to readers? If not, you aren't getting the real news, you are getting the censored version - you know, the one with the President walking the beach with his new dog.

The news is where you find it, those convictions are the GOOD news. Bad actors who were allowed to get away with what they were doing, some for decades. In one case the evidence introduced to trial was still carrying FBI evidence tags from the 1990's - and that individual is now going to prison, not continuing their crimes against humanity. Literally.

Need more? Name the office holders ousted for irregularities conducted against the voters while sworn to represent the voters. Or the members of the media under investigation for child molestation. Or ?

Its not all doom and gloom - unless you are taking up the view of those who see prosecutions and sentencing as somehow damaging to their agenda. And if that is all they portray, quit watching talking heads who support it. There is the real problem - a large section of the voters in America just won't make the effort. It can't get better until they stop trying to find good news where only bad news is broadcast.

Very good points rOgue. I cut down on my consumption of news drastically over the last year or so. I went totally dark from all news outlets for a few months. I saw a significant change in my outlook.

Rather than read infuriating headline one after the other in what often feels like an endless cycle of bad news I started reading other things (I don’t watch any TV). I devoted the time I used to spend reading about politics and refocused on my various interests and hobbies.

I began to realize there is a lot of truth to the quote : The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

Here's my strategy, for what it's worth. I read the local newspaper. Yep. In print, in my mailbox.

It has the right balance of being almost entirely about local things (that which actually is relevant to me), with just enough national/global information leaking in to make me less ignorant. I will also hit the local TV stations news websites from time to time. But I usually leave with it having not been worth the clicks.

That's enough. Coffee, work, dinner, movie or game with kids, repeat.

I can't claim to be entirely unanxious about the world today, but I'm very intentionally steering not to be.

Not only did I ditch the news and almost all social media, I also ditched the Apple Watch. As convenient as it made certain things, I don’t think the endorphin addiction to getting instantaneous notifications is good for anyone.

As to the original question, communism/socialism has never been successful at any place it has been tried. You’re falling into the divisiveness trap that is needed for the other side to keep advancing. I’m encouraged by the states leading the pushback on the federal government, attempting to retake the power delegated by the Constitution. Do not underestimate the magnitude of “potato head’s” remarks, “there is no federal solution to the Covid problem”. They though if they installed a President willing to tell the states what they could or couldn’t do they would take all power away from where it rightly belongs. They’re losing battle after battle in the courts and I’m proud to be a Tennessean. I’m proud how our governor is pushing back along with TX, FL and a few more. Please don’t dismiss all young people as not having the will to believe in American exceptionalism. I raised two, and have been around many of their fraternity brothers and sorority sisters to tell you all is not lost. Unfortunately, many have lost the ability to think critically critically for themselves believing all the censored crap being pumped in their head. When power swings back, if there isn’t an appetite to destroy the mainstream media and social media censorship then only one resolution remains.

I avoid following much that goes on “out there,” but for their sake, I hope no one believes that not knowing what goes on affects what goes on. Some people, especially those with jobs and families, cannot or will not spend their lives lying in bed with the covers pulled over their heads, and it’s not surprising that they will be affected by it and will talk about it. If we can complain about not being able to find our favorite brand of cheese, I believe we can be allowed to complain about things like the state of the Nation.

But a word of advice: People complaining about what goes on is part of what goes on, and if you don’t like it, just ramp up your avoidance measures as I often do. If you see a post that you know will make you sad to read, don’t read it. There are massive Internet discussions that I totally ignore because I know the level of whining and stupidity they contain would do nothing but make me realize how bad things are.

Simple, eh?

(And yes, I know: I am complaining about complaints that complain about complaints. )

Here’s what the darthfusters do. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. The greater the faith, the less there is fear. In the mean time I preach liberty, prosperity and justice for all. The rest is in fate’s hands. Given human nature, history will repeat.

There will be a stopping point with all the stupidity and divisiveness currently affecting us.
When it will happen and how it will happen remains to be seen.

It will probably continue to get worse before things get better. It would seem that only when 'the people' (or enough of them) have finally had enough, will things get turned around. I can't imagine the they'll continue to defend the indefensible much longer as it's getting harder and harder to hide the obvious truth. I pray we get there soon...

oldbill123:
Your pessimism is not unfounded. Do I think things will get better? No, not yet.

And you are right about the next generation has no experience with much of what was better. That's very unfortunate. But... each generation faces unique challenges.

But others are right: Your pessimism is a problem for YOU. It can get you down. Ignore the MSM if you can. Concentrate on personal relationships with live human beings. Get out more. People are mostly good.

We are living through an attempt at global socialism/communism by a small minority of "elites" who want some of us dead and want to dominate the rest. It's not a small thing and it's making life difficult for all.

There are two ways to deal with it:
1. Don't be a part of it. Go on with life. Ignore it as much as you can.
2. Be "the man in the arena". This requires being informed and pushing back in small ways or as much as you are comfortable in presenting the truth to anyone you can. This happens mostly in small groups but some are able to reach a larger audience. The more prominent they become the more they show up on the radar of the left and are cancelled. That level of push-back requires a lot of bravery.

too much negativity -- i try to stay positive

don't spend too much time on the internet -- there is an entire 'Fear / Division Industry' -- and enjoy outdoor activities

I'm generally an optimist

we still live in the best country in the world. we are going to demolish the libs later this year... it will be unprecedented

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Hope. It is still alive. I will admit to spending too much time on the net- mostly gun forums. Don't watch MSM or most TV. Human contact is minimal.

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:
How many think things will get better? I think the country has been sliding downhill for a while and I do not see it ever getting better. The will and desire is just not there. And the longer it goes, the next generation has no experience with better

It all starts with you parents.
Teach the kids good, honest principles and they might have a chance.
The problem is that the "media" is raising our kids now days and we all know how they are.
It's not going to get any better because the kids are being indoctrinated.

The best way to change it is to vote Democrats out in November across the Country and cripple the party for at least a decade.

It's not so much about better but rather having a say in what better is. Step one is getting a voice.

I think the pendulum is starting to swing back and hard. People that were complacent are rising up, at least a good number. I just hope it doesn't go too far ultra right as extremism either way is bad.

Every generation thinks they are smarter than the generation before them when they are young. When they get old they think the whole world is going to shit and the new generation after them is worthless.

Wash, rinse repeat to infinity…..

I keep up with events. I take note of trends. I have no false hopes that eventually things will end up in a pile of shit.

However, that doesn't mean I don't try to improve my position with every step. It doesn't mean I stop trying to do what I can to stave off what may be the inevitable. Who knows, the eventuality may be staved off for a hundred years after I die.

But even if it happens in my lifetime, I've done what I can do and I've lived my life as best as I can while enjoying it and helping others at the same time.