I wish you the best. Take a break, come back re-charged.. Just lay off of me! hahahahaha

Just know we won't quit on this movement, so I don't think you should quit on us.

I too think Bernie has some cards to play. But what is distressing at this point is that many Americans do not share our sense of political action in that one - they won't vote, and two - when they have voted so many chose the same old candidate.

Like voices in the wilderness we are.

Two of the most reasonable, most intelligent people on this board.

Probably not going anywhere...Though phase down...Especially if it gets to that point where it has to be an echo chamber.

But, yes, it's feeling like it's time to go somewhere else. DU is becoming the AOL or Yahoo of progressive conversation.

Rapidly irrelevant.

When LBJ was asked why he kept the horrific J. Edgar Hoover on as FBI Director, LBJ said, "I'd rather have him inside pissing out, then outside pissing in." Let those words inspire you. If Bernie isn't president, the progressive movement he fomented will be that much stronger for it will be on the outside and won't be part of the establishment. So, no matter what, stay involved!

at this point I am not part of the club... yes, that simple. We vote in pretend elections in a pretend democracy. been this way for a long time, I cane to terms in 2010. You got no idea how liberating it was not to fall in love with any of these people, As to fall in line... who cares? I just cover this shit, but really, we are not part of the club.

Oh and nothing major is at stake, just the planetary future. But when people are too incapable of understanding that, well perhaps we will fully deserve extinction, Intelligent ape, my fucking ass.

I gave up electoral politicing back when I saw the voting machines at work and no one - hardly anyone - rising up to defeat the damned things.

Then along came Bernie.... but still hardly anyone able to overcome the e-vote. And here we go ....

I agree - once you forego the emotional attachment, it's possible to look objectively at how things are done.

The whole charade is so....hollow.

Heck I got burned out on commenting (not that I was anywhere near as prolific as most here) but couldn't quit coming here to read the threads.

Take a break if you feel like it, you've certainly earned it.

Maybe do a little imbibing.

if I had spent more time arguing with strangers on the Internet" said no one ever.

Be well

the part you wrote about "politics and the current state of the public square in the United States can break your heart if you allow yourself to hope for anything to really change for the better" really spoke to me. The fact is that with hope comes pain, there's no way around that. If you sincerely care about anything, you always take on the risk of experiencing disappointment, failure, and/or loss. I think that's why more people don't really care about the actual state of things these days - they either assume a totally cynical worldview or they stick their heads in the sand. We're living in an age of very low tolerance for uncomfortable feelings (as the pharmaceutical industry could testify too, with glee). Anyway, yes it can and will break your heart. But no one ever expected a candidate like Bernie Sanders to ever appear on the scene, let alone become as popular as he is. Don't get down. The game is rigged to never allow anyone into any position of power that could roll back the gains of the corporations and banks. of the globalists. But Bernie actually got me to reconsider that old phrase "never say never." Stick with him until the end! The world is not in a good place at all and I actually think the downward spiral will continue. But there is a chance to slow it down and, to use another time worn phrase, it's not over 'til it's over. Whatever you decide about DU, hang in there! The powers that be want the "little people" to feel that there is no outside to their system. Demoralization of the people (the 99% that are getting screwed) is a major part of their ongoing strategy to contain the potential enemy (us). (Of course, one way to avoid feeling demoralized is to jump on board with with a pre-selected "winner" they offer up at election time - but that's like taking drugs to feel good for short periods of time and then realizing one day that you've ruined your life.)

But this IS exciting! Things are happening- big things! Bigger things than I dared hope for.

We're also probably already doomed. Climate change is far further along than should ever have been allowed to happen.

Live, play, advocate, be part of the momentum. Lots of things are coming together to make what's coming be our finest moments as a species...or our last