Sounds pretty republican. Increase taxes on the people least likely to vote for you and increase the national dept!

That really sucks, all of it. Graduate school is hard enough as is.

You're studying in a field that is as fascinating as it is important, now more than ever. Long ago, I'm embarrassed to say, I was casually dismissive of "soft sciences" as I pursued degrees in (physical) chemistry. Then I became a professor and questions related to how people learn became way more interesting to me than my research. So hang in there - we need you!

Finally, just think about all the money you can make working in academics once you've completed your Ph.D! (I trust you'll recognize that as sarcasm...)

Well we know you can't reboot your life , but you CAN delete as much negativity from others as possible ! Try to remain focused on your end goal ... you can do this.

Our elected leaders are criminal in so many ways. Unfortunately I'm oh the opinion that goes for both sides. I suffer from family bias and prejudices as well. As far as society in general, Bill Maher I believe has it right when he describes them in large part ignorant, Huge hugs sent your way!

I'd like to see a movie called "Repugnicon Zombies" just for the pleasure of watching stakes being put through their dead hearts for a couple of hours. Maybe Michael Moore or Bill Maher could produce and direct it. I stream the PBS NewsHour every night when I sit own to dinner. It does not aid the digestion. Sometimes I get so angry about the current dismantling of sane protections and benefits and entire agencies that I start balling. I had heard about these assaults on higher education and wondered what are they thinking. We need to encourage not discourage people to attain degrees that will allow not only themselves but the nation to remain competitive.

Wow, I'm getting a headache just thinking about those conversations...
Hopefully, a lot of that crap won't go into effect for awhile.
What a way to start the holiday....

No, you can't reboot life -- but you already know that. As for the effect this new tax thing will have on you, the only thing you can realistically do is hope it doesn't pass the next level. A lot of us are going to be affected directly and many others indirectly, and it will all be negative impact. No up side to it.

As for your mother's response, I think you did the right thing by holding back, but you may want to consider mentioning it to her later once you've got it all under control. Remember, @evestrat, 'everything happens for a reason'. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Regarding your father, it would appear to me that you would be doing yourself a favor by considering him a write off. I know that sounds harsh, and I know it ain't easy (been there, done that), but for your own self esteem, some things are best resolved by surgery. And no, I'm not a licensed counselor, but I'm not going to write a disclaimer.

About your returning to school to pursue that doctorate, more power to you. My mother went back to school when she was 47, having never done much in the working world and spending a considerable amount of her life and energy as a housewife. She became one of Northrop's cherished employees at the edge of the technological envelope in aerospace. You go girl.

I find it ironic that those who wear the name "Jesus" are so determined to destroy the very people Jesus called his brothers and sisters (those who struggled in life) while at the same time worshiping Rome (Wall Street), the very people who killed Jesus.

I have super religious friends and family, and every time they hit me with the "God's Will," I say, "If it was God's will, Evangelicals (like you) would hate it. The fact that you love it suggests God has nothing to do with it."

It's trolling, I know, but reason doesn't work. And they think they're superior to me. This way they have to defend their position, and it's not easy for them. Of course it helps that I've read the book and know it better than they do.

I had a blowout with my folks a week before my father died. My mother does not like my home-a house that I bought by myself over 20 years ago.She thinks it has drained me with repairs and has suggested I apply for low income housing.II told her no fucking way-she could go fuck herself because that housing in my area allows no animals, accepts junkies and is in the city which I hate.
Well,my Dad heard the screaming and came to my Mother's defense swearing at me and slamming the phone down. The next time I saw my Dad was a week later-I looked in his casket-my best advice don't ever do that. I have decided to be kinder and gentler with my 90 year old widowed mother over the past 2 years-I still lose it with her but I have rebooted and taken charge of my own life.

The "it is part of god's plan...it is god's will" platitude is one that especially sticks in my craw. And, it is especially difficult to deal with when it is family members tossing it out. I have been going through a very rough patch for a few weeks now; and I would find it much more unbearable if I believed in a god who was putting me through it as part of some sick, twisted, needy, self-glorifying plan. And, if there were one putting me through this in order to get me to call upon it, it would sure be doing a lousy job of it--and, seriously, it should be able to know this would not work and not even bother.

Wow! I have no great advice, but can offer very genuine sympathy! The current situation vs science in general and gradstudents in particular is horrid and unbelievable. One should be able to count on certain people to have their back regarding such bad news. That your very own parents won't do that is heart breaking. That they basically tout religion as their reason makes me see red.

I hope we can get these political monsters voted out soon enough to minimize the damage. Then again, who would have dreamed that we'd ever have arrived here at all?

Vent away! I'll join you. (This could ruin my children's plans in a huge way).