Hi neighbor. We live about 100ish miles away in a small town about the same size.

Love it! Some people might say that that's a terrible attitude to have, but I think it's awesome.

...another Patriot!

@SilverDollarJedi The US, along with the other industrialized nations have been cleaning up their act for decades. But as with our Republicans, when one side ‘goes nuclear,’ the other side must respond, or die..

The Democratic party has become ‘the party of women’ in this nation. I suspect that assessment’s irritating and/ or controversial, but from the inside - that’s what I’ve witnessed. More than ever, from Carter to Obama, to Hillary.. they’ve been far more diplomatic than the R’s. But there’s a more powerful industrialist cutthroat capitalistic contingent having accumulated and willing to spend whatever percentage of their wealth it takes to acquire more power, money & control. They have resources and networks beyond belief..

So how does good compete with that level of evil? Iggnor reality and give up? ...or do the nasty things they must in order to at least compete ... becoming labeled ‘corrupt’ for having played by rules they’d be the first to dismantle! This equivalent association is driving me nuts…

To a degree, our ‘leaders’ are representative of those having voted for them.. But not discounting the gerrymandered districts, unlimited corporate campaign donations & propagandistic wrong-wing media network/s leaves an unrealistic view of the true forces at work. Unfortunately, evil won. Question is, was anything learned?

[edited yet again, to hopefully correct some garbled syntax generated by the sites links to funny faces & gestures]

@SilverDollarJedi ….Ohhhh.. Makes me feel like I really wasted my breath

Right on Brother!

That's true, that may be the one good thing about Trump. The Comedians are having a Heyday and man! are they good!

When one side arms, breaks all previous rules, and shows no mercy … and the other ignores it, you get ‘this.’ The Republicans are always 3 devious steps ahead of any competitor, they don’t sleep, they don’t appreciate what they’ve got, nor appreciate our planet … they only want more power - period

Right now, with all 4 arms of the US Government in their hands … how secure do you feel? How much more power are you willing to hand them? Is it time to worship them..?

Do not mistake self defense as an attack. We, the thinking, caring, generous citizens of the USA are attempting to defend ourselves from the successful power-grab of the Republican ‘party’ and their hidden financial backers. It’s not a moment to shy away.. or turn the other cheek… As most have here - it’s time to speak up, stand up - and fight back! Those unwilling to do so need to get out of the way - because they’re a large part of the problem…

@Varn I don't disagree with your statement and certainly you are entitle to it. What we are saying here is that we could/should change the tone and that's exactly what you just did. Your message is clear and yet you didn't have to use any insults. It is possible to discuss any issue within rational margin. I do believe the best way to defend ourselves is to follow the system we have in place and vote whatever direction we want to go on the next cycle. I also want to comment on "how secure do you feel?", I feel as secure as I have ever been. Life is a fragile experience for so many reasons to begin with, I don't think I can say that I feel threatened by any means from current administration.

@IamNobody I understand the tonal aspect; usually those lacking a deeper understanding of the issues sink fastest. But the ‘flavor’ I tasted was more of a … 'I’m uncomfortable with controversy, so let’s all be nice.’ As I’ve watched that attitude gobbled up and spit out.. while those doing the chewing nearly choked from laughing.

Generally, an election is decided by which way the center shifts. Using the one that brought us trump, it appears that center likes to play hardball. I say we learn to play, not shy away because it might be painful..

Your security sounds like bliss; honestly, I’m not that far from the same … don’t need to set my alarm for tomorrow.. But I’ve this extended concern for more than myself, like my children, and hopefully theirs, and honesty ..everyone else's. Maybe, like Bernie, that’s why I most often ‘caucus with the Democrats’

@Varn if the tone is right then we can discuss anything and move the subject forward, which I do believe should be the job at task for all of us. We all should improve our skill to agree to disagree. You have a pleasant Sunday !!

@SilverDollarJedi what do you propose?

@SilverDollarJedi You asked, “How are we to fix our current problems by continuing the same behavior that got us here?” The behavior that got us here has taken decades to implement, therefore, short of a revolution (which I don’t envision or want), it may take awhile to correct... And to do so, nearly everyone will have to be onboard - and stay onboard.

This nation works best with a ‘common enemy.’ The dark side makes them up, and their ‘fake enemies’ allow them to form coalitions that (almost) win elections.. Those seeking light don’t think that way, they look to enjoy life, appreciating nature and our shared opportunity to experience it. Pitted against each other, we get ‘this.’ We need to view ourselves as one, with shared concerns and common goals, and it shouldn’t take an external threat to achieve that ..should it?

What generally happens is after following the dark side into war or economic collapse, consensus shifts to ‘the party’ or collective network looking out for everyone.. We do that ..just long enough to crawl out of the hole … but the entire time the dark side has been bombarding anyone who’ll listen with propaganda aimed to favor the rich & powerful ..and just enough voters believe it that …. there we go again ~

As a nation, we need to stay the course toward light. We need to eliminate Gerrymandering in every state, creating fair districts for all candidates. We need to return and enforce a Fairness Doctrine, to eliminate further abuse of the public airwaves as propaganda delivery networks. The Citizens United ruling needs overturned, as well as the tightening of massive campaign contribution loopholes. That’s where I’d start..

But in whatever form or method it takes to bring about positive or corrective change - the bulk of the nation must stay with it! Not be swayed by creeping propaganda, or the fact the guy next door appears to have a little more than you do.. Again, it’s been a very slow boil ~

Third Party candidates are overwhelmingly spoilers, or disruptors at best. Our system gives nothing to the loser, no ‘parliamentary seats’ based on their percentage of the vote - nothing. And with that nothing is handed everything to the victor … as the victors make the rules ..making it even harder to remove or replace them…

Instead, we have Primaries … my state’s in the midst of one right now. I spent Friday afternoon with a blend of district representatives discussing the outcome of said primary. Now is your opportunity to count! Run, or support anyone - in either political party (I’ve a friend in my home state running as an R cuz she’s surrounded by them!) that promotes your goals. Knock on doors, stuff envelopes, plant yard signs, post links & info, attend debates, ‘man’ a booth, write LTE’s or write checks … but ‘this’ is when and where it happens.

Don’t fall for party badmouthing, as in, ‘it’s all fixed’ (trump’s previous mantra). No - it’s wide open! - and party politics has a way of melting away when the numbers support anyone.. If not now - 2019, but the opportunity’s there ~

Don’t know if you’re being totally sarcastic … but our press really fucked up, and are not only attempting to correct it, but to actually do their job - report the truth and expose the lies. How did they ..mess up? They ignored the ‘false equivalency narrative’ that was identified too late into that freakishly unusual race. “Making it appear that both sides of the “debate” have equivalent authority and evidence supporting it.”

Consider too, in our capitalistic democracy there exists a entire media network devoted to promoting a wrong-wing agenda. The Real Press must also contend with that… Otherwise, carry on