Hopelessness

[tiger army]

This election has given me a sense of hopelessness and foreboding for the future of our nation that I can't express in words. I think of the venerable Vietnamese monk Thich Quang Duc, who sacrificed his life in a display of unimaginable bravery and agonizing self sacrifice by immolating himself just to send a message on behalf of the oppressed. But I'll probably just get drunk and vote for Nader.

No i kinda feel the same way to. I only support Bush because i feel like he is the closest canidate to winning what i am kinda on the same wave length. Recently i got really interested in politics. But paying atention in class just makes me feel cynical towards politics in general. We are taught that you can make a differnece if you vote or write your congressman, but they are all lies. Your vote really only counts if you live in a swing state and most congressmen listen to lobbyist and constituents (sp) that foot thier election bills. Then we are told that if you want to make a change, then you should run for politics. But when was the last time you saw a lowly person rise up from the poverty, become mayor, then ultimately, move on to washington? Even local elections cost alot to run in (at least where i live). In my Texas pol. class, we learned how weak local (city not state) governments were. Maybe i have just lost all hope in american politics. I can't identify politically, ideologically, or ethnically with almost all politicians. Does anyone else feel this way or am i just rambling?

[limaksti]

Sometimes you just have to deal with the guy who is the closest match to you. Getting into politics sometimes can be difficult if you dont have a lot of money but that doesn't mean the money has to come from you. If you do a lot for you community your name will get out there and you will become known. When you have community support, you can get financial support from the members of that community. Like a campaign fundraiser. That's how you work your way up in politics. Just look at people like Barack Obama.

[socrepLT]

I agree with the getting drunk and voting for Nader. Its a perfect plan.

[daveo the great]

No i kinda feel the same way to. I only support Bush because i feel like he is the closest canidate to winning what i am kinda on the same wave length. Recently i got really interested in politics. But paying atention in class just makes me feel cynical towards politics in general. We are taught that you can make a differnece if you vote or write your congressman, but they are all lies. Your vote really only counts if you live in a swing state and most congressmen listen to lobbyist and constituents (sp) that foot thier election bills. Then we are told that if you want to make a change, then you should run for politics. But when was the last time you saw a lowly person rise up from the poverty, become mayor, then ultimately, move on to washington? Even local elections cost alot to run in (at least where i live). In my Texas pol. class, we learned how weak local (city not state) governments were. Maybe i have just lost all hope in american politics. I can't identify politically, ideologically, or ethnically with almost all politicians. Does anyone else feel this way or am i just rambling?


well i recently saw john edwards rise from poverty, becoming a lawyer, and moving onto becoming a senator.

and yes.. politics are depressing...

btw... socrepLT ... i hope that was sarcasm...

[shade]

Your vote really only counts if you live in a swing state and most congressmen listen to lobbyist and constituents (sp) that foot thier election bills. Actually if you live in Texas you might be surprised. I have actually spoken with my Texas legislature representative twice personally. And I emailed a federal representative in Texas of whom I was not a constituant, and he shockingly called me back a few weeks later. He was a republican I saw on CSPAN saying some stuff about "cyber terrorism" that I saw to be totally unrealistic and called to talk to him about it because I do in fact have some insight on the topic (www.austin2600.org) and I am a republican, so I figured he should listen to me to get a fair injection of reality. And he actually did. I felt really good when he called.

You will probably not be able to talk to a senator unless you are really important, an expert on the topic, or live in a tiny state. Talking with the president is pretty much out of the question. But in Texas, you may actually be pleasantly surprised.

Now, if you dont have anything unique to talk about, dont expect a response. But if you propose something actually brand new and unique that seems sensible, or just generally have some really good valuable insight, I would give you 60/40 ods that you will get to talk to a representative, especially for Texas government.

[Viceroy]

Politics is only depressing for me when I think that there is no ideal. The rest of the time I try to make a difference, no matter how small or insignificant.

[droogsteve]

Actually if you live in Texas you might be surprised. I have actually spoken with my Texas legislature representative twice personally. And I emailed a federal representative in Texas of whom I was not a constituant, and he shockingly called me back a few weeks later. He was a republican I saw on CSPAN saying some stuff about "cyber terrorism" that I saw to be totally unrealistic and called to talk to him about it because I do in fact have some insight on the topic (www.austin2600.org) and I am a republican, so I figured he should listen to me to get a fair injection of reality. And he actually did. I felt really good when he called.

You will probably not be able to talk to a senator unless you are really important, an expert on the topic, or live in a tiny state. Talking with the president is pretty much out of the question. But in Texas, you may actually be pleasantly surprised.

Now, if you dont have anything unique to talk about, dont expect a response. But if you propose something actually brand new and unique that seems sensible, or just generally have some really good valuable insight, I would give you 60/40 ods that you will get to talk to a representative, especially for Texas government.


I've had a good experience as well. Last year my grandmother wanted to fly to California to visit my aunt. The problem was that she's never had a picture ID in her life and you need one to fly. We tried getting her a non driver NY State ID, but the only document she had listing her age was the 50 year old expired Irish passport that she used to enter the US when she emigrated here. Needless to say, the DMV folks wouldn't accept it. We tried getting a copy of her birth certificate from the Irish Embassy, but 80 years ago in Ireland they were issued by the church, not the government. They tried, but couldn't find any record of her.

So as a last resort I e-mailed Senator Chuck Schumer asking for help. (No matter how desperate the situation, I couldn't bring myself to ask Hillary :p ) A week later a member of his staff called and got all of our info. A week after that the Senator himself called. Even he was unable to penetrate the NY DMV bureaucracy, but he was able to track down her old naturalization records and personally expedite her being issued a brand new US passport.

It really made me feel good to see government actually helping an ordinary citizen.