we might not be in the mess that surrounds us now!

Bump, bumpity-bump!

So many people soak up lies that are refuted all day long by what they're not seeing.

I've often responded to claims that our nation is in shambles, etc., etc., by suggesting people just check those ideas against what they see.

The blessings of living in a stable, advanced nation are so normal for most and so taken for granted that we don't notice them any more than we notice the air we breathe.

We are basically struggling under the thumb of the very same people who have been fucking us over for centuries.

I have to guess that it wouldn't surprise him in the least, sadly.

He'd also wonder how he's grown to be so popular over the years, when we've stepped right into everything that he ever warned us about.

read a book, if you’re stuck inside and can’t do the things you suggested.

Cable “news” talk show hosts are paid very well for getting people whipped up into frenzies. That’s what drives ratings.

It’s beyond me why intelligent people torture themselves by watching these shows and their shameless barkers.

And I have never, ever missed it.

It's amazing how much GREAT "entertainment" you can subject yourself to when you do exactly what you suggest, along with exploring any other kind of hobby like needlepoint, music, geocaching--hell, ANYTHING other than sitting on the couch absorbing corporate propaganda and relentless (and I mean absolutely relentless) pharmaceutical ads.

reading fiction (even dabble in writing some just for myself) but you’re right, there are so many things to do. Your example of needlepoint is a good one, and just think of painting and/or drawing, learning to play an instrument, doing puzzles, anything!

Create something. Accomplish something. Even if it’s just for you, privately, or you only share with close friends or family.

All are relatively cheap, but ANY cost put into it is more affordable than sacrificing your mental health so some TV talking head gets richer on your worries.

Edit: Another thing about political talk tv is that it forms the basis for so much arguing, when all along we have no idea what the real story is, what all the facts are, or how much of what they’re telling us is spin for the sake of ramping up the hype that leads to higher ratings. It’s bizarre. (Note: I’m not talking about hard news reporting, just the talk show bobble-heads.)