Election depression

[nikto]

I could see this going both ways, but...

I'm feeling powerless, angry, misanthropic, and utterly alienated.

I'm feeling like the research I do (in science) won't make a bit of difference, considering the electorate's priorities.

I'm feeling like the international causes I participate in are all being undone a thousandfold.

I'm feeling like my way of life and my goals are being rejected by people.

I'm worried I don't understand most people.

Anyone else dealing with this?

[sflathinker]

If it went the other way, then many would feel everyone they've supported/rejected would be thrown out the window. If it went the other way, others would feel that they aren't understood.


We are a country full of people who don't agree on the issues. We shouldn't have to agree. We should feel as though we can support our belief system regardless if the law says that right now is the right time to pass something.

No effort is ever wasted.

[nikto]

I think it's a big deal if you can't feel supported in your dreams and goals.

I suppose the elections are an arbitrary scale. There are major areas where I can do things that will be appreciated by other people. When I lived under communism, I wasn't too distressed by the communists around me. I figured it was a matter of time, awareness, and education (literacy).

But I also don't believe in moral relativism. It was hard to know how much to intervene.

When I detach myself from humanity, this is all very fascinating and complex; when I remember myself as a participating agent, and when I have trouble communicating or reconciling myself with others, I get very worried.

You're right. We can't control most things. On the other hand, our efforts, I'd say, are wasted if they're ineffective. (I'm not saying voting's wasteful--the votes themselves always send a message.) What I am saying is there's a higher standard than effort; we have to combine it with some foresight about how it will be received. I am increasingly unable to do this. Emotionally, I understand less and less of the world. It's scary. Cognitively, I can model things just fine, and if I bother to think about it, I get very depressed.

Sarah

[nikto]

We should feel as though we can support our belief system regardless if the law says that right now is the right time to pass something.

It's just a distressing sign from millions of people, that's all. Not to mention that research funding may dry up in areas unpopular with the administration... not to mention how much time we are losing with nonlinear processes like climate change that aren't waiting until we get our act together, or how we polarize the rest of the world, the reproductive rights of oppressed women, education--we don't get second chances with most things.

I don't mean to challenge the democratic process here in general--of course we need to disagree. I guess I can't see where other people are coming from anymore. I have this caricature of others. I need to do more research, I guess.

[sflathinker]

There are always so many issues and each person prioritizes differently. It's frustrating for some to see money spent on issues they personally oppose, just like it's frustrating for you to work on issues that aren't important enough to others. Doesn't make the issue less important to you. Hey, I just watched "Day After Tomorrow" and have to agree that we don't spend enough research dollars on some things, but with only so much money to go around, and not enough to allocate to everything, we need to vote for a majority rules.

I find it most difficult that I accepted parts of each person's platform, but not the whole. Yet, by casting my ballot for one, I was in a sense "agreeing" with everything he is for.

[SanFran]

I'm about to burst into tears, but before I do, I thought I'd reply to this post.

I've always really admired your ability to walk your own path, Nikto, even if it's not a popular one. It's something I'm really working on in therapy (showing people who I am), and for that, you are one of my role models. :shy

I can understand where you're coming from on this, I really can. I just try to surround myself with people who I consider open and many who share my same ideals. It's hard when you get the impression the majority of the country does not want you to be who you are, but it's not necessarily that cut and dry. And I think if we automatically assume they won't tolerate us, we're pre-judginng them, too.

I have to admit, what I've written sounds a lot more optimistic than how I'm feeling...

[ribbon]

Thanks for the post nik. I am devestated as well. I feel my personal rights as a lesbian and as a woman already beginning to slip away. I (jokingly) told my doctor today that I think it was a conspiracy between the republicans and manufacturers of anti-depressants to increase the need for psychotropics :muhaha :muhaha.

[Jasella]

I'm also devastated, and I understand all your concerns. I expect a myriad of civil rights to be immediately taken away, especially under the new patriot act. Racial profiling with dramatically increase. Gay rights are up in air. Women's rights are up in air, soliders are being forced to fight a war THEY DIDNT WAGE, african-american's rights will be violated, THE LIST GOES ON>>>>

[wish]

:hugon Nikto :hugoff

I definitely understand where you're coming from. I'm very into research myself and am scared of what the results of this election will mean for scientific progress. I guess I'm more shocked than sad. I honestly didn't expect this...when I saw all the states being shaded red on the map last night (esp. Florida--after all of the scandal last time), it just felt so surreal. I guess the thing that upsets me the most is the message we sent to the world. Last election, we didn't really know what Bush's foreign policy would be like, but now we know and we chose him anyway...it must be such a slap in the face to people in many other countries. Oh well, I guess we did our individual parts by trying to make a change...there's really nothing we can do if the majority of Americans didn't feel the same way. Still, it's so frustrating!

:love Wish

[Pink Lily]

I'm just hoping to wake up tomorrow morning and realize that it was just a bad dream, a horrible, horrible joke.

I applaud those who say they'll keep fighting, I personally have given up hope.

To all of those who are thinking of moving - before you have to live under him, you can all come stay with me. Never been as glad about being European.

S.

[Sylphlover]

I totally agree. I feel like everything I have worked so hard for with my developmentally disabled and mentally ill clients is for nothing. The Rep- don't give a flying fuck about them. They have cut the funds repeatedly this past year. The once let's get these guys to become more independent and out of institutions started going down the drain. The more I write residential skills and behavior programs to assist them in becoming more independent I just see it as a waste because the stupid funds become cut to save the stupid government money because they lack the sense to know how to manage a budget.

What is the damn use?