I've been here since 2004 and always found something to read, say, comment on.

But no longer - the world is unrecognizable to me (I am 70 - also a life long liberal and Democrat). I've pulled back to just focus on my family (wife, daughters, grandson) and gardening and sharing what I learn there.

I drop in here rarely just to see....and never really have much I can say. It's all too horrible and makes no sense.

Came in 2004 and I turn 70 this summer.

I keep taking breaks from du because it's all too much at our age, I want my retirement to have some peace in it and Trump keeps trying to suck the life away from all of us.

Take the time you need, angrychair, and check in when you can.

I take a break from politics on the weekends if possible. It helps.

a system using blockchain to ensure transparency and honest dealing.

Raise taxes on the billionaire parasites and corporations, end Citizens United, reverse Dobbs, get rid of the filibuster to ensure a functional senate, re-district the entire country state by state, and hold extensive trials to clear the Epstein files and for Trump and his minions who have been utterly corrupt. We also need to clean house on this market manipulation Trump is doing with his cronies, dismantle the concentration camps, free the immigrants.

Pass a sane immigration law that takes into account the humanity of the immigrants.
Reinstate the Voting Rights Act in its entirety.
Dismantle the Supreme Court and appoint new justices WITH TERM LIMITS.
Clean house in the Judicial system and try corrupt judges like Aileen Cannon.
Change corporate governance to a stakeholder approach instead of a shareholder primacy one - and add a clause for truth in news reporting to act as a new Fairness Doctrine.

We also need to assess the need for data centers. They are parasitical and silly me, I need water for drinking, washing and growing food.

That would be a start. There is MUCH more and we need REAL TRIALS and REAL SENTENCES for these criminals. Many are speaking of guillotines. I am not, but I want MY tax dollars that I pay in to MY government, which is supposedly of, by and for the people, to go for:

1. Medicare for all Americans.
2. Free tuition in college and grad school.
3. Childcare subsidies.
4. A guaranteed minimum income.
5. Dramatic cuts to the MIC, the prison-industrial complex, and the political industrial complex.

We don't need these complexes. They have been calling the shots at our expense for way too fucking long.

We're gonna have to rethink a WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF, because things cannot continue as they have since the turn of this century.

This is not radical left either. That's bullshit. Government governs at the sufferance of the people. And this government is so corrupt it cannot even function.

I have anything to contribute because of people like you and so many others who express what I am
feeling far better than I ever could. I am not a good writer. I have tons of troubles trying to express my thoughts in ways you can understand what I am trying desperately to say. You and so many others are what keeps me lurking here! Maybe one day I will figure out how to express myself where it makes sense, but until that time you are needed. Do not give up, do not give in... we all get tired and frustrated and wonder whether or not it is worth it. I do not know whether it is worth it or not, but I do know if I sit and do nothing, then I deserve nothing.

give yourself more credit!

I really mean that, and for what it's worth, I'm a retired professor, so I've seen a lot of writing. Please don't hesitate to contribute your thoughts and insights; we all need each other in these dark, troubling times.

So keep contributing as best you can. Over time your best will get even better.

It sux when DU’ers go missing and no one knows where they are or if they are coming back again .

✌🏻

Lately, I just skim titles and post activist stuff.

If a call to action gets like 3 rec's, still I have done something positive.

but I have an innate, obnoxious level of stubbornness that makes me refuse to give in or give up.

My sons also seem to have inherited this trait, because their father can just walk away.

Plus, even though I don't know any of you in real life, it's a family. I spend a lot of time alone, so this is my social circle.

I tune out the doomposting, and urge forum members to make this more Activist Headquarters than gloom-sharing (which the opposition loves and uses as a strategy) and a mutual support forum.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221246803

As a support forum, it is light years ahead of the cesspool sites out there, and that part needs encouraging, but due to the high volume of posts here and on Hacker News (some 200+ a day each) a lot has to be just noted and skipped.

I have to exclude the lounge and other goodies. Just too much.

I have hobbies and projects that want attention, besides caring for a home and 7 acres of whatever on my own. I do as little about those whatevers as necessary any more. I did heroic brush-clearing in the past.

I'd like to devote more time to the projects and I am trying to focus on them (stay tuned)

Thoughtful reply. :

It's not easy, but I try to make DU something "bespoke", and a good channel for activism.

Take some walks outside.

simply put the assholes on IGNORE

Hello, goodbye.

is the furthest thing from an "echo chamber" you can get.

It's what trolls say when they're saying "goodbye".

on Rewind TV and every single fucking issue from 1987-1995 is EXACTLY THE SAME as it now in 2026!!!!!

I am NOT kidding. I could watch any episode and the same GOP talking points, the same issues, the same parties and NOTHING is any different 40 years later. I want to puke!!!!!

The USA has NOT changed since 1987 and it will not change! Assholes with money rule the USA and that is a constant. I was born in 1962 and my entire life has been ruled and ruined everything since. I was born on July 3 in Phila and was always a proud patriot and celebrated our country's history and values.

I was able to vote in 1980 when I turned 18 and I AM PISSED OFF!!!!!!! I have voted in every damn election (local, state and federal) down ballot for Dems every time!

I taught my 1st grade students how to vote for 15 years and we voted for every issue in my classroom the way real elections are held. I've done SO much yet the damned GOP has had the $$$$$$ to control everything, I have no power but to vote.

Life in the USA sucks!!!!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ rules everyone and everything. I am so glad I chose not to have kids or else I'd feel even shitier...if that were possible.

I HATE what the GOP has done to destroy MY COUNTRY!!!!! MY COUNTRY!!!!!!

Here's something I posted right after the election. I think it still applies. Communities like this can be a source of strength for us. Perhaps we need to figure out how to do that part better.

1. Mourn. That will take all kinds of forms. Lashing out in anger or despair included, but we can help support each other in ways that ultimately preserve hope and reject the cynicism that immobilizes. Which leads to #2

2. Take care of each other. Support each other and share ideas for staying sane and engaged over the coming months and years.

3, Take care of ourselves. Encourage each other to connect with things that nourish us -- personally. We need to rebuild our strength.

4. Keep an eye on developments. I think there are going to be some creative things emerging that promote citizens working together in ways to shape their communities, shape attitudes, and accomplish some pretty great things, both large and small. I highly recommend this book for inspiration.

Agree with you

it is so frustrating to be here some days. It feels like a right turn is happening here some days.

Progressives are Democrats.
Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.
Healthcare is a human right.
Billionaires are antithetical to a functional society.

These points from your post are the big thing and it's hard to see other Democrats (at least I think they are) in absolute disagreement.

A few very loud people love to act like Progressives are a bigger enemy than Republicans, you can't say ANYTHING about Gaza and Lebanon that is even slightly critical to Israel's actions without getting swarmed...the other two points are just common sense, which isn't common anymore, it seems.

I get why you're backing away. I'd do that too, but I'm too stubborn to let it go.

Hope you see you back after some time away. Many of us are happy to see you on a thread....well, I am at least.

Sorry to see you go, but the porch light is always on!

Good theft.

Find some balance, and visit us again. I've walked away many times, several this year. It's like battering your head against a brick wall some days.

Harmony and good respite for you!

But here's the issue.behind the shift rightwards towards money over people.
Those who view possessions or money as co-equal virtues or even greater than personal actions or traits are conflating virtue with a monitary or barter value
And once the situations of resources or living beings have a cost or ROI - a monitary value placed on them, there is no longer a virtue value.

As the old saying goes, if everything has a cost, nothing has a value.
And Progressivism should be an investment outside of costs or possessions, an investment in virtue.
Social stability, security to attain basic needs and social interactions should be a virtue a society should . Not something of value not attainable to those who don't have the money to buy luxuries.

♥️

“Progressives are Democrats.
Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.
Healthcare is a human right.
Billionaires are antithetical to a functional society.”

I spend less time here, less time on politics. More time on my own personal growth.

it is rough these days with what this country has become.

I enjoyed your thread yesterday, although true to form I couldn't get anyone to talk about anti-capitalism with me - but that's the way it goes. I hope you have a relaxing holiday weekend.

Hopefully you find what fills your soul because it's a rough world out there and we all need good things, places, and people in our lives.

It's good to take a break from all the stress and frustration.