America is dead.

[salinen]

This war is proof. The elections are proof. And certainly the corporate controlled Congress is proof. News, other than a select few newspapers, ape the tune from above.

Why did anyone think for a moment that working the system would result in a fair deal? The system is as rotten as Santorum's heart. Now poised for retribution, we fondle this gangrenous system once more for the eventual kick to the face. We must enjoy the taste of of our own blood.

The Iraqis are more "American" than this republics citizens. They are fighting and dying for their cause. As much attention is paid to the trial of a wife murderer as a country in flames. How many people have murdered their spouses since the trial started?

This is not a country anymore. It's a conglomerate of self-aggrandizing units trained to gratify every and all desire. The average American is a reflection of the corrupted State that envelopes this putrid corpse of a nation.

Perhaps the reason that the lessons of history are forgotten, or better, were never studied, is the arrogance of the modern American. Being a living American may subconsciously evoke a feeling of having a more evolved mindset.

Half of America would read this and say, "get the hell out" This is a ridiculous statement. As if this is the only reality.

[bigtree]

1. Not dead

but dying, nonetheless.

edit:

This country is dying. The environment, the economy, our young soldiers

We can scarcely take anymore. Most of those Bush voter's lives are set to crumble along with the rest of us under Bush. They are going to remember who was fighting against this man. We should make certain we're still here fighting when they're spinning around looking for someone to defend them against these facists in this administration. We are still relevant. We represent the other side of this madness. Stay active and involved. The revolution has begun.

[acmavm]

2. Well then, it's time to haul out the life support. And WE are it.

.

[jdj]

29. It's definitely in a coma.

Definitely.

[zippy890]

4. Maybe we need a civil war

Jeez, I'm starting to frighten myself, but it almost seems inevitable.

I can't just sit by and watch this country run roughshod over our constitutional rights and the rest of the world.

something is deeply, deeply wrong here -

[groundpilot]

21. the north and south are divided almost as strongly as before...

and I am just as miserable and appalled being a southerner as I would have been 150 years ago.

This is a war that needs fighting. the question is how to do it?

[bigtree]

24. through every instigation of democracy

[tjwash]

32. Not really...

...just the fact that your a southerner and are here telling us you are miserable and appalled is proof of that. Remember, that almost half of the popular votes in the southern states went to Kerry, it's not like there were 80%B-20%K percent landslides in the southern states.

Although Idaho almost pulled one of those off.

Matter of fact, there is a thread open right now in the lounge about that.

Welcome to DU by the way.

[newyawker99]

33. Hi groundpilot!!

Welcome to DU!!

[Deja Q]

27. Most people seem to be brainwashed. Many who voted * hate what we hate

but still buy into the bullshit about "liberls" this and "Democrats" that.

We need to update our image and use grassroots ideals to update the populace. The media sure as hell won't help, they are bought and paid for by the slimebags who go out of their way to call us the things that they themselves do!

Civil war? No. Coy edification? Damn straight.

[salinen]

6. Revolution

is the point.

[kazlab67]

3. Good observation.

The average member of the "American Herd" does not want to busy themselves with Logical thought. They would rather relate to stimulating images and verbal sound bites. As long as they "Feel Good" whther through drugs, movies or cruising in their SUV, they don't care about anything else that is real...like their lonely, overextended kids or our soldiers dying in a quagmire.

[salinen]

5. Welcome kazlab

Yes "Feel Good" is the new opiate.

[zippy890]

14. It's called 'false consiousness"

They THINK they are happy with stuff, material things, the ever more tantalizing, glittering thing to be gotten, owned, when in fact those things, and the desire to get them actually comes to 'own' them.

I guess I am a socialist at heart.

I agree with Hunter Thompson when he said he believed in these 2 things:

- the abolition of inherited wealth

- 100% tax on excess profits

Course I know these aren't prevailing beliefs in our society, but I have been rediscovering my radical politics of my youth lately, and it seems to suit these times

[indigobusiness]

31. Yes, and Kinky Friedman talks about our living beyond our organic needs.

We are wretched with excess. Forced simplification would be a good lesson. But the Amerca we once loved and the America we hoped we would live to see are both dead.

[dmac]

7. I have the feeling that a lot, if not most

of them know more about what is happening on reality tv shows than they know about what is happening in the reality of their country. I knew I was fighting a losing battle with some Rep friends when I tried to discuss the debates with them - and they said, "Why would I waste my time watching debates when I already know who I am voting for and nothing will change my mind?"

Yes, why indeed, let facts get in the way of the fantasy world these people have created around themselves.

[Old and In the Way]

12. Politics as a sports metaphor.

Seems to me that this election is now traeted like a quadrennial "Super Bowl". Look how MSNBC used the skating rink, and buildings to sho the race. It's all about the "event". Too many people have become programmed to accept the "Red vs. Blue" metaphor. Lifelong TV habits have conditioned this response.

Sure, the supporters of the "Red Team" are happy that their team won. What they don't realize is that the refs and the commentators were in on the fix. While they were in the stadium rooting for their team, their homes and bank accounts were busy getting cleaned out. Pretty soon the
Blue Team isn't going to bother showing up and compteting because there's no way they can win under the current rules. Then, the game will be over.

[Cleita]

18. We need to form a new league.

Then we can fire the old corrupt referees.

[ocean girl]

8. Well said, Salinen!

[Thoth]

9. We are so ripe for ...

real fascism in this country it's very, very scary. Read David Neiwert's column on the rise of 'fascism, American-style' at http://www.dneiwert.blogspot.com . I've been very depressed since Nov. 3 with the realization that those of us in the "reality based community" will be ridden roughshod over by the mainstream media as "conspiracy theorists" when we try to expose and bear witness to the Bush Reich's destruction of our once great democratic-republic. Those of us who realize the true scope of the crisis are perhaps only 10% of the population, easily dismissed for now and perhaps 'silenced' in the future. I will not give in without a fight - but that may just get us put into camps in a few years

[Gregorian]

10. It's ugly. However, things aren't a lot different than they've been.

Remember, there was a civil war here. And witch trials. And genocide of native Americans.

But let's get one thing very straight- the environment is a direct result of the population. It is totally independant of politics. Laws and incentives may facilitate development of cleaner means of converting energy, and stricter limits on "harvesting" natural resources. But the single driving force is the number of humans demanding the supplies.

We are lazier, now that we have petroleum. That in itself is insidious. And that has helped to lead us into the mode of acceptance in which we find half of our citizens.

Evil will never die. It's part of this world. The trouble we are in did not start with W. Nor his father. I've been in a state of distress since I was old enough to perceive. That would be since the early seventies. I have been appauled since then. Bush just facilitates the increase in evil activities. He's the enabler of evil.

Here's an article I just read that describes very well how the media has protected the Bushes. This article should make it even more clear how we got to our present state. Bush, money, fear.

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/111304.html

I suffer from only focussing on the bad stuff. After all, who goes to the doctor to find out what's right with them? But remember, over half the country is awake. And most of the remainder of the people on the planet, are sensitive, concerned people. Don't give up, like I did. It has taken me until these forums in order to break out of it. On the other side of darkness is light.

[Ardee]

11. Nope

Not America, just the system under which she is misruled.......It is a system so sick and sad that it must die and be replaced......

[UNIXcock]

23. Definitely in a funk, but not dead

... I love this country and will sacrifice just about anything for its survival.

... After all, it is our home!

[goju]

13. Wow

Are you Ok? Stay away from sharp insturments

I dont think its quite that bad, but then, Im an optimist. We lost an election, that doesnt mean we are dead or incompetent or stupid. It means we need to retool and regroup.

I have my own thoughts on why we lost but I will spare you that diatribe, as its probably been said again and again, and you didnt really ask for it. But, I think you might want to look at the big picture and ask yourself if you see anything worth "bucking up" for. Im an eternal optimist so that is easy for me, but I know some tend to have difficulty with it.

Take a day off, stay off the boards, off the tv, go watch a movie, drink a beer, play with the kids... whatever you do. If you are without hope, you are without courage. All is not lost.

Adversity builds character, character builds confidence, and confidence breeds victory. Dont run from adversity.

[Minstrel Boy]

15. Yes it is.

To think otherwise at this point in the story is to be in tragicomic denial.

[salinen]

19. tragicomic

neat word.

[cliss]

16. Sad to say, but it's true.

This is OUR country, but we let it get stolen from greedy, lying thugs.

I hope it's not too late to take it back.

[zippy890]

20. One way- put your money where your politics are

check it out

www.workingassets.com

[cliss]

30. Zippy, thank you

for the link. Working Assets looks very interesting. As everyone here at the DU is my witness, I hereby vow to direct my money only to worthwhile causes.

We're on the right track. There was another thread here recently which addressed the issue of directing our money to the right place and boycotting others.

There were about 328 posts underneath it. I don't think I've ever seen such a big response from a thread.

It's the way to go.

Hit 'em in the pocketbook

[The Zanti Regent]

17. You're right. I'm in California and I want out!

Who wants to join a secession movement to take California out of Jesusland?

[Cleita]

22. I'm in but we need to get rid of Arnold.

As far as all those red precincts, I don't think the ones in the north and in the Sierras would be a problem. They've been wanting to split California into two states for a long time because they resented the federal government.

[librechik]

25. oh just sit down take your blue pill and shut up.

Do you really believe an ordinary energy unit like you can effect change in the matrix?

[Deja Q]

26. Excellent observation. And if they want us to get out, will they pay for

the ticket? They seem to support paying for everything else...

[mitchum]

28. Sad, but true