I read again and again that our culture is a rotten, disinterested shambles (I'm not disagreeing, just thinking of all of the good, decent Americans across our land who have no power, who have to earn a living and raise a family (sometimes a troubled family, i.e., kids with problems, etc., that take a huge amount of time and effort), and…
I read again and again that our culture is a rotten, disinterested shambles (I'm not disagreeing, just thinking of all of the good, decent Americans across our land who have no power, who have to earn a living and raise a family (sometimes a troubled family, i.e., kids with problems, etc., that take a huge amount of time and effort), and don't have the time (sometimes the hours it takes) to delve deeply into the machinations going on in Washington, DC -- and these Americans are judged harshly and tossed off as caring more about Netflix or totally uninterested in what is going on in our complicated political landscape. Tell me, what are they to do? Tell their employers 'I've got business in Washington, so I've got to read articles on the internet today', or 'I won't be at work this week because I've got to make a placard and march down in front of my state capitol, or, max out another credit card and fly to Washington to march in from of the White House, the Dirksen Senate Office Building, or maybe the Capitol Building, or even SCOTUS to show I'm pissed!' How are ordinary people supposed to change what's going on in Washington?
I do get tired of reading comments about 'the public doesn't care.'
During Trump's presidency, I wrote emails to both of my senators and representative at first politely asking them to support the president during the Russian investigation, then I started criticizing their apparent indifference to our president and demanding they stand up and show their support. I was told by one (I'll always now despise) 'that it is necessary for us to investigate the Russian interference in our elections' -- I almost gagged; I didn't quit contacting them ... but, I was ignored. I wrote a few letters to our local newspaper. They weren't printed. I sent checks to Rand Paul (not my senator -- but admired his bravery during these last years, specially about the covid farce) plus several other brave politicians (a couple running for office in California and Washington -- they lost, but still ask for money for their next battle). I sent money to Christopher Rufo because I thought he was doing an important job in exposing and fighting the crazies in the trans movement, especially democratic supporters. He exposed their hatred and hypocrisy, and I think his battle is important to our children.
I now get dozens of texts and phone calls and emails and letters from every Republican from Ted Cruz to politicians in just about every state. My small and pitiful efforts to make changes ended up by me being on everyone's potential donor list and being almost harassed to 'send money!'
So, tell me . . . what are ordinary Americans supposed to do when they're ignored or made to feel helpless? What would some of you smart people advise, those of you who think withdrawing and relaxing and watching a mystery on Netflix or Prime or going to the library and checking out and re-reading your favorite author's book for your own sanity is a bad thing and who keep saying 'the American people aren't interested?'
You make some very valid points. Yes, it can be so depressing and we can feel so powerless that it really is a good idea to sink down on the couch and watch some diversionary dreck on TV.
I read again and again that our culture is a rotten, disinterested shambles (I'm not disagreeing, just thinking of all of the good, decent Americans across our land who have no power, who have to earn a living and raise a family (sometimes a troubled family, i.e., kids with problems, etc., that take a huge amount of time and effort), and don't have the time (sometimes the hours it takes) to delve deeply into the machinations going on in Washington, DC -- and these Americans are judged harshly and tossed off as caring more about Netflix or totally uninterested in what is going on in our complicated political landscape. Tell me, what are they to do? Tell their employers 'I've got business in Washington, so I've got to read articles on the internet today', or 'I won't be at work this week because I've got to make a placard and march down in front of my state capitol, or, max out another credit card and fly to Washington to march in from of the White House, the Dirksen Senate Office Building, or maybe the Capitol Building, or even SCOTUS to show I'm pissed!' How are ordinary people supposed to change what's going on in Washington?
I do get tired of reading comments about 'the public doesn't care.'
During Trump's presidency, I wrote emails to both of my senators and representative at first politely asking them to support the president during the Russian investigation, then I started criticizing their apparent indifference to our president and demanding they stand up and show their support. I was told by one (I'll always now despise) 'that it is necessary for us to investigate the Russian interference in our elections' -- I almost gagged; I didn't quit contacting them ... but, I was ignored. I wrote a few letters to our local newspaper. They weren't printed. I sent checks to Rand Paul (not my senator -- but admired his bravery during these last years, specially about the covid farce) plus several other brave politicians (a couple running for office in California and Washington -- they lost, but still ask for money for their next battle). I sent money to Christopher Rufo because I thought he was doing an important job in exposing and fighting the crazies in the trans movement, especially democratic supporters. He exposed their hatred and hypocrisy, and I think his battle is important to our children.
I now get dozens of texts and phone calls and emails and letters from every Republican from Ted Cruz to politicians in just about every state. My small and pitiful efforts to make changes ended up by me being on everyone's potential donor list and being almost harassed to 'send money!'
So, tell me . . . what are ordinary Americans supposed to do when they're ignored or made to feel helpless? What would some of you smart people advise, those of you who think withdrawing and relaxing and watching a mystery on Netflix or Prime or going to the library and checking out and re-reading your favorite author's book for your own sanity is a bad thing and who keep saying 'the American people aren't interested?'
You make some very valid points. Yes, it can be so depressing and we can feel so powerless that it really is a good idea to sink down on the couch and watch some diversionary dreck on TV.