Talk me into trying to make a difference in the political process in this country...Or Not.

[hang a left]

I have become so jaded. I just don't believe anything we say or do anymore is going to make any kind of difference. The leaders that we have elected (or that were selected for us) have taken a huge crap on us all.

Grassroots, Webroots, all the hard work and money and blood and sweat and tears that were poured into 06 all for naught.

What have we received in return:

Empty promises
Empty pockets
Broken dreams
Broken hearts

[man4allcats]

1. Kind of makes you wonder what's left in the way of

alternatives that are legal, doesn't it?

[canetoad]

2. As long as you can look at youself in the mirror

and know you did everything you possibly could. I honestly doubt whether humans will ever be ready for a peaceful, sharing, co-operative world.

[Double T]

5. So far, history tells 'US' that human peace throughout the world is impossible.

[canetoad]

7. It may well be

I don't accept that old threat about learning from history or being doomed to repeat it.

The question is 'can human nature be changed'. History tells us it cannot.

[H2O Man]

9. Perhaps.

"We are faced with evil. I feel rather like Augustine did before becoming a Christian when he said, 'I tried to find the source of evil and I got nowhere. But it is also true that I and a few others knew what must be done if not to reduce evil at least not to add to it.' Perhaps we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which children are tortured. But we can reduce the number of tortured children. And if you believers don't help us, who else in the world can help us do this?"
-- Albert Camus

[canetoad]

13. Not adding to it

Yes.

We age, no longer able to put out bodies on the line in sit-ins, demos. Did we make a difference? Forty years is too short a lense through which to view how history treats our time.

The first few years of digital age; qualities admired are trickery, spin, entrepreneurism. It takes enormous effort to exist in 'today' without being overwhelmed by it.

I can relate to Camus.

[Double T]

10. The humans that screwed up in the past, aren't the same humans we have today.

Humans don't learn from history or they're just plain stupid.

[canetoad]

15. Oh yes they are

If humans learned how bad war is, we would not have had one for 5,000 years.

People don't change. You're young. Get it tattooed on your wrist and look at it whenever you think the world will change.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. i know until this election, I never felt the need to be involved except to vote

I'd go and vote for whoever the dem candidate was. never voted in the primaries.
I decided I was going to take part by voting in the primaries last year. But, for one, I see how bad our country has fallen and that this election is important. I also feel energized and excited about my candidate. I feel the need to do something because I really feel it's important to help get him elected. And though I like the other candidates, there is one I absolutely dread the thought of that one being elected. It makes me feel like when Bush was re elected.
So, there are a few reasons for me.
I don't know what would get you excited to be involved. If no one interests you, well, you can't force it.
Check out some of the sites of some you like, look at videos by of them like at rallies and see if that sparks you.
If not, there is nothing to make you feel it. And forcing it is not good.

[Breeze54]

4. Please read this and get hopeful again!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=307357#307460

By Brent Budowsky: 62 Democratic Senators

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/9901

62 Democratic Senators
by Brent Budowsky | Sep 13 2007

The resounding Democratic victory in the 2006 Senate campaign creates a historic anomaly
in which the Senate Democratic Caucus could increase to more than 60 senators, with historic
implications for American politics and all three branches of government.

More.....

[Double T]

6. YOU and WE only have one opportunity to be counted.......

and the opportunity to make a difference; voting gives 'US' that one chance. If YOU and WE don't vote then WE have no right to bitch and complain about the way things are. Nothing worth having is ever easy.

[Horse with no Name]

8. Do you have kids or grandkids?

Can you go look them in the eye and tell them that you are giving up on trying to save their future?

[JNelson6563]

11. Set your sights on a different level

Looking at the national picture it's easy to feel virtually impotent as an activist, because as individuals we are.

Let's look down the food chain a bit.....how's your county commission look? Mine's blood red and I'm looking to change that in next year's elections. How about your state House/Assembly? Got a Dem in your District? I don't. Nor in the Districts surrounding my own. I'm working on a fundraiser for February for a state House candidate in the District next store to mine. Oh yes and we have mayoral & city commission races this November in my town. We Dems have 3 candidates for those races.

All these things are in my own backyard and could make a vast difference for the people of my area. Will it play into the debacle that is Washington? No. Can it make part of the world a better place for those who are less fortunate? You bet. That's what I'm in it for; to affect positive change where and when I can so that at least some progress is made for the greater good.

Take a long view to this sort of work. For instnace, the fellow I am helping in the state House district next door. This guy is young, very bright and has an exciting political future ahead. I have no doubt he will be heading to Washington someday. Helping him with his first few electoral victories, and subsequently with larger races, I will have helped achieve at least a tiny success for our side by helping to get this guy to DC.

But it starts in your own backyard where you, yes YOU, can be a mighty warrior for the greater good.

Sending you encouragement--

Julie

[izzie]

12. I feel your pain. I have turned off almost all news on killing

The thoughts that I may have to end up voting for some one for President who gave up our rights to have Congress make war almost kills me. Bush and his gang have drove me almost aways for thinking one good thing about my country. I know things go in waves but this is a low point in the wave circle and to near Vietnam that I can hardly take any more. Korea, Vietnam and Iraq and the endless small wars between are starting to get to me. Frankly I am sure the empire will fall and it is the only good part of it. We never should have taking over that plan of being an empire in the first place. Greed is a thing that is hard to stop and I knew people want all that 'stuff' from other countries and to make money on it. It seems to be mans ways. I think what gets me so up tight is so many Am. like it this way and back Bush and believe we should be in other countries and tell them what to do. They will always think of some reason for that little deal to make them self feel good. They are lucky they are not the people that they so like to kill as they can not seem to think of how they would feel in their place.

[KharmaTrain]

14. Only You Can Answer That Question

If you feel "so jaded", then the choice is yours as to do and who to vote for...and yours alone. If you feel the Democrats have "betrayed" you...don't let the door hit your ass on the way out...either find a Repugnican or Independent who you think will "fulfill promises" or whatever pony your dreaming of. Or...as way too many have done in the past, don't vote or participate at all.

I'm sure as hell not going to tell you or will anyone tell me...I sure don't want to belong to a monolith, one-issue party and look at a far bigger perspective on things. Yes, Democrats have let me down as well, but I sure as hell don't want a return to a Repugnican rubber stamp majority.

I spend a lot of time and money on campaign and I don't expect a damn thing in return other than a vote more reflective of my many interests and values. It's not going to be 100%...and if I'm not satisfied with the candidates being offered, I'll either find a challenger to support (like I'm doing with several races in the primaries) or just stay home. The choice is yours...

[w8liftinglady]

16. you can maka a difference.I did.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1783259