Losing hope.

Eldergay, to some degree I feel the way you do.

But all we can do is the live the best life we can no matter what happens.

I have long given up on the hope that life is fair.

The world is corrupt and there is evil that most people do not even want to speak of-

Hopefully, Trump will pass on or some justice will prevail.

I donate to Democrats. I attend protests and I’ve cut all Republicans out of my life. But I’m at the point where if my loved ones, my pets and I are housed and fed, I don’t give a fuck what happens in DC. Just do what you can.

Lord help us OP.

It’s not just about rethugs and democrats though.

It’s decency vs barbarism

Intelligence vs Dogma

Good vs evil.

Good wins out eventually, or it used to before the internet and the era of high tech.

Yes hope looks very bleak. We’re in for some fascism. No one seems to have woken up in time.

Good doesn’t always win out. That’s something that the forced positivity people spout because they can’t handle bad things.

Yesterday’s failures were it. That was the last great hope.

I sure hope that Sienna was paid enough to sleep and night. Manchin too.

I feel the same way as OP. But what to do? This is as grave a situation as I've faced in my half a century on this planet, but I have no idea what to do about it.

Sometimes, disengaging is tempting. Focusing on making my life as good as possible so I can help others.

I'm very distraught at the state and the future of my country.)

We need a quiet revolution. The 18th Century solution to how to bring together 13 colonies does not work in the 21st Century,

1) Elect the President by popular vote nationwide.

2) Proportional representation in the Senate. Note, the Constitution prohibits this amendment, so we’ll need to break with the past—a Second Republic.

The large blue states need to demand these changes and move forward without any states that refuse. 3)

None of my friends care one way or another. I wonder if they're right and smarter.

How can the Republicans win when most of their mouth breathing demographic suffers from COVID-19 complications, because they don't believe in fact based vaccines? Liberals will not allow Deplorables to steal an election by refusing to accept the official results. Us Liberals know what's at stake, and we will show up and vote.

No matter how many concern trolls and "we are all doomed!" trolls post on social media.

So this is going to be a long slog. Some of us may not be around to see it through to the other side. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.

That said, this will not be all cute and fun for the GOP. I think they really think it will be. Boy are they in for a surprise.

I believe there will be massive institutional resistance to them once the country is full-tilt fascist. Also, us "normies" truly do outnumber them.

Additionally, blue states and cities are the economic engines of this country and blue voters make up most of the braintrust that drives innovation. So we will probably go the way of South Africa. They were fucking brutal, but apartheid was all brought down when the business community stopped supporting Prime Minister Botha and his regime - because it was really bad for their profit margins.

Here in the states, once big business sees how truly awful fascism is for profits, they may intervene. *May.* In the meantime, life will totally suck.

Been nice knowing you, girls!!!

Was Trump reelected, as some posters insisted he would? No, he did not get reelected. Was he reinstated last year, as some insisted it would happen? No, that did not happen.

The Republicans are the greatest motivation for Liberals to keep voting.

I agree with you OP. Unfortunately as long as old white men continue to dominate politics this will be the norm. Dems have to hold the line, and eventually we will win.

R10 I truly hope you're right. I think you're a lowlife for making fun of and/or dismissing valid concerns, and that you're likely a miserable scumbag, but I hope you're right.

What exactly is a "concern troll?" Someone who is pretending to be concerned? I'm not pretending.

Fuck you, R10. You're a real piece of shit.

[quote]Impeachment will begin immediately and it will work.

You think the Republicans will have 67 votes in the Senate a year from now?

They will almost certainly retake the house this year. And many of the safeguards that prevented them from stealing 2020 are being systematically removed. And most of people people who kept it from happening are being replaced.

R15 and others, they won’t have 67 votes but the difference is, they will make changes to the rules without a second thought. Simple majority all that should be needed.

Democrats were too artificially moral or something to change the rules when we had a chance.

We are doomed.

[quote]I am not a concern troll.

You are the epitome of a concern troll.

Things never seem to happen the way I think they will. That’s what makes me hopeful.

This "concern troll" is a tactic used on the Democratic Underground, a useless place of centrist Democrats that always have the answers until they are proven wrong, which is mostly all the time concerning who will be indicted, or what comeuppance a republic party member will get. They are always in it for the long game and are all chess players with certainty that somehow things will turn out if we just hold on and let the republic party members be themselves.

Everyone on that site that questions any deviation from the centrist message there is a "concern troll".

But what do you suggest we do, OP? Stop voting and keep stuffing our pie hole with shit food like you do? Not me, I never give up fighting.

When I was a little boy, not that far removed from the end of WWII (yes, I'm an eldergay), I wondered how the Germans let Hitler come to power and come to kill 6 million people, destroy their nation, and change the course of world history.

Now I know.

Hope is overrated. One should strive not to become addicted to it.

If there isn't any, "then we must do without hope. There is always vengeance!" ;)

I will fight to the end. I will do what I can to help get Dems elected. Losing hope is not the same as giving up. Anyone who is not alarmed is living in denial. Good luck with that.

[quote]You think the Republicans will have 67 votes in the Senate a year from now?

They'll only need 65!

There's a lot of that going around.

The media needs to start embracing telling both sides. One thing the Biden administration and representatives can still do is bring back the fairness in broadcasting laws. The New York Times has a preaching to the choir reputation. No one can convince a political opponent of something if they aren’t willing to engage with specific components of the opponent’s argument. Like for trans issues, that would be refusing to publish de transition narratives. Not publishing those doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Anyone who wants to can look them up online. Refusing to acknowledge the reality of things that people can easily look up on the internet is a mistake- acknowledge it and talk about it in a non-hateful way and you’ll get supporters and maybe shift some narratives. But don’t talk about it at all, and then people look elsewhere.

[quote]You are the epitome of a concern troll.

And what are you, R18? Seriously. If OP, expressing a sincere and not unreasonable thought at this point in the proceedings, is a concern troll... what are you?

Um, it is a Constitutional provision that the Senate requires a 2/3 majority to convict. The Senate cannot change that.

But by all means, carry on with the hysteria, since that seems to give some of you a hard-on.

[quote] But I’m at the point where if my loved ones, my pets and I are housed and fed,

That’s really what it all boils down to, innit?

The most important things.

R27, 'bothsiderism' got us where we are today.

OP, move to Sweden.

[quote] OP, move to Sweden.

uh, better kill yourself, OP.

[quote]The media needs to start embracing telling both sides.

What I think this poster means is bring back the equal-time rules.

But I'm with OP:

Datalounge, we in danger, girl.

R31, but even if both sides of an issue are not equally strong, that doesn’t mean they can’t be talked about or covered. If you cover something, you can bring up research and substantiate your viewpoint. If your opponent is the only one that covers it, any substantiation is left to the other side. It’s like having a witness testify with no cross-examination.

I may have read it on this site but “ those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities”.

—Voltaire

I just waltzed out of the ICU, my friend is almost dead! I even got to confront a transit rider without headphones! I shit on him so hard, felt great! Made a fool of myself, at least there were tears in my eyes. Plus, my cat has diabetes. Nothing left now, except wine and music! Anyone want enchiladas? My treat!

Even if all the stars aligned and we lived in a Democrat-run utopia, half of you would still be miserable cunts.

[quote] I donate to Democrats. I attend protests and I’ve cut all Republicans out of my life. But I’m at the point where if my loved ones, my pets and I are housed and fed, I don’t give a fuck what happens in DC. Just do what you can.

You need to shake off that kind of complacency. Republicans are villains intent on empowering a corporate oligarchy at the expense of people and the environment. To get there they must abrogate all human rights. The folks you love and the folks they love are in imminent danger.

R38 Fuck off, scumbag. I'm not rah rah Democrat person myself. But the other party is trying to do away with democracy, so there is little alternative but to support the Democratic party.

Take your strawman and shove it up your ass.

R22 Yes, exactly. And my GOD, I wish I didn't know. So fucking sad.

R40, take a Quaalude dearie.

P.S. Behind your back, people call you a narcissistic bore.

R35, you either don't understand the issue or you're evading it. Presenting bullshit as if it had equal standing for everyone to have to sort out is a bad idea.

Ain't nobody got time fo' dat.

Voters who are likely democratic are being restricted from voting. Votes will be counted by the Zombies. Neat.

Zombies suffering from COVID-19 issues. Republicans are their own undoing.

R43, can you imagine if the people who claimed to be supporting history or culture when they endorsed those statues saw the dates many of those statues were put up? They weren’t put up over a hundred years ago. They were put up decades after the Civil War as a direct response to the civil rights movement. But if all you followed was right wing media, you’d have no idea. They talk about these things as “history” or “culture” and movement against it as “riots”. The war dead had separate memorials for their families put up close to the time of the war. They have no idea, probably, that as recently as 1964, dozens of people involved with a Mississippi Sheriffs’ Dept. murdered and mutilated a group of activists and that the local government refused to even prosecute the crime. Both sides means all facts can get published- not speculation but various facts.

80-year-old, near-death, demented Repugs can come out to vote, but why not healthy 20-ish Democrats? We all have to go through many obstacles to voting. It always boggle my mind that the Democrats are the whining ones.

Turn off the TV. Just detox. CNN is toxic.

They were put up decades after the Civil War as a direct response to the civil rights movement......

R46 Like when, 1950s? I'm genuinely curious.

They were put up decades after the Civil War as a direct response to the civil rights movement......

R46 Like when, 1950s? I'm genuinely curious.

If you take a look at almost all of American history we've been a yo-yoing mess between reason and illogic. Just a pandemic level case of the latter at the moment. Money does rule and whatever the future brings it will be based on whatever system creates the most profits. Up to this point it's been neo-liberalism and I don't think those in power are ready to change this yet

Civil war.

[quote] Impeachment will begin immediately and it will work.

So the Republicans will put a black woman in the White House? Fascinating.

R50, between 1890 and 1950s from what I’m reading now; so in some cases more than 100 years. But remember we had our first black representatives in Congress between 1870 and 1897, and the Jim Crow era followed that.

When they have it all (House, Senate, Presidency, and the already right wing Supreme Court) plus all the hard right wing states like Florida and Texas, how crazy will it be? Republicans have always been horrid, but now it seems you have to out crazy the other guy to get on the ballot and get elected. It’s going to be so dismal. Most of them are lunatics who get off on hurting people.

“By the 1890s, most Black Americans had either been barred from or abandoned electoral politics in frustration. Advocacy for Blacks in Congress became substantially more difficult. After North Carolina Representative George White’s departure from the House of Representatives in March 1901, no African American served in the U.S. Congress for nearly three decades.“ The statues all date to the Jim Crow era, the disenfranchisement era.

R55, I'm guessing if it will help the bottom line, you can kiss it goodbye, so that's any kind of regulation, especially where the environment is concerned.

Socially, depends on how much sway the Christians have.

There will be more inaction than action by the feds... they will just let the states go mad. So the former Confederacy will be true to form. Anything a California or New York does that Republicans don't like, I'd guess the feds would interfere with that.

I don't know what it does to international relations.

Life is a cabaret

[quote] I am not a concern troll

No dear, just delusional and hysterical. Turn off MSNBC. You'll feel better.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

^ Martin Luther King shot in the face at 39

R53, they will impeach both Biden and Harris. Duh.

And not provide votes to approve a new vp.

Republican speaker will be president.

I am not a super vigilant democrat (independent) but you all that rely on checks and balances are very naive. They are way ahead of us on the planning process. Fascism is almost inevitable now.

There are plenty of things to be hopeful about!

The Ohio GOP just got knocked back by their State Supreme Court for their gerrymandered maps - they have 30 days to resubmit. They aren’t getting away with it. Overall, the gerrymandering with GOP-controlled state legislators hasn’t been as impactful as a lot of people feared.

There’s been a lot of justice activity in FL with Gaetz and MI’s AG referred those fraudulent crimes to the Feds for criminal charges - and they can/will bring the same charges in state. Plus the first of Garland’s seditious activity indictments this week! It’s a long way to the midterms for all of the likely indictments of GOP figures. It’s only January.

It would be great if voting rights passes. Don’t lose hope.

Plus, no matter what, we’re far more clever than they’ll ever be. For instance, there’s no way they’d ever be able to state an impeachment trial against Biden - are you all forgetting the 61 cases that Trump’s goons lost contesting the election? Are you not aware of all the legal professionals who have been fined and lost their licenses, which is on-going, and the billion dollar law suits against Guiliani and the other one?

We have to show up and drive like-minded people to the polls.

Will the impeachment-obsessed please read R29 carefully?!

Who will halt this slow coup unfolding before us? I doubt the Democrats can or will defend democracy.

R63 is living in a fantasyland.

OP, volunteer at a homeless shelter for battered women of color with children.

You'll see how cushy your life actually is.

Cushy, R67. Those beaten up bitches aren’t even TRANS women of color. Check your privilege.

Sweet Jesus, this thread. Switch off the news, have a cup of tea and get a hobby. The world has been a mess since the advent of human civilisation, yet we’re still here, for now at least. Do something uplifting and make the best of things.

Every week 150 elderloungers are losing hope and ready to give up.

You guys are like bugs to the zapper with these threads, I swear.

[quote]There are plenty of things to be hopeful about!

Absolutely, and there are a lot of people on Datalounge who want you to think there is NOTHING to be hopeful about.

You'd think that, just out of sheer spite, DLers would say "fuck you, Sad Sack Troll, I'm going to make a difference" but that rarely seems to happen.

^^^ Because that might require them to actually leave the house.

[quote] I am not a super vigilant democrat (independent)

Oh honey, no. You're more than that. You're a comedian!

This is how it's going to happen. The denial on this thread is why the slide is underway. The Republicans just have to bide their time.

@ R74

The End Is Nigh -- and has been for the last 5,000 years.

No one is predicting end of days but pretending status quo under this batch of Republicans is foolish. Be a fool if you like and then we can all put up with your outrage and shock and pleas to move to Canada once it's too late.

Actually, they are. But more to the point, subtleties seem to elude you, R76

R76

What if Republicans win the House and elect Trump as speaker, impeach Biden and Harris and the speaker becomes president. It is possible.

R79: NO. IT ISN'T. There will be never be 67 votes to remove any President. Not for the next 50 years and quite possibly forever. The fascist threat is real but not through that crackhead scenario.

The election will be stolen by state legislature refusing to verify the votes of major cities in states like PA, AZ and GA and by voter purges. What happens in many states now is if you don't vote in 2 previous election, including the stupid odd-year ones for water board and jock strap inspector, they cancel your voter registration without telling you. Then you show up to vote for President and get told you're not on the rolls and the deadline was 28 days before the election. Too bad, go home. That and just declaring city votes to be fraudulent are how its going to be stolen. And apparently the Arizona Dyke and the West Virginia Redneck are just fine with that.....

Biden and Harris let us down.

What if Uranus swallowed the Milky Way, R79? Not only is that possible, it's happened a few thousand times...

[quote] including the stupid odd-year ones for water board and jock strap inspector,

Um, not to derail the thread or anything, but where would one put their hat in the ring (as it were) for this position?

TIA!

R83 is running for the Anal Hygiene Party. Her platform is full inspection on of all athletic supporters using live models for maximum efficiency.

This thread reminds me of "Don't Look Up".

The Republicans are dying off. They will never win another election without stealing it. They are a criminal mafia and dead as a mass party.

I went through two years waiting for Mueller and his report-nothing happened. Then two impeachments-nothing happened. Country is going to -not sure. But not a democracy.

Insanity is baked into America. Southern Baptism was founded to defend slavery. Evangelicals twist the Bible to justify whatever they want to believe. Reason and science are resisted.

How can a party which only represents the 3% wealthiest Americans own populism? They can't. Continually confront and they will collapse like the tissue of lies they are.

the GOP may win this battle, but they will not overcome their successors, their victory will be bitterly pyrrhic

I have a friend who was born in Germany in the 1930's, then moved to the US to be an US citizen in the late 1940's.

She told me in early 2016, way before tRump was elected that we had better watch out for him. What was going on here in 2016 is what was going on in Germany in the 1930's and that it continues today.

[quote] How can a party which only represents the 3% wealthiest Americans own populism?

What? Where the fuck are you getting your information? Jesus.

R91 - Bullshit. You have no friends, let alone some 77 year old (at youngest) who remembers Weimer Germany as an infant. Try better.

R99 do you know r91 personally? I've often wondered if some DLs know, each other's IRL. Does R91 know who you r99 are too?

Don't be stupid R92. That's why Trump ran as a Republican. Both John McCain and Mitt Romney won their Republican nominations with fewer than 10 million votes, less than 3% of the American population. And that pretty much represents their constituency: the rich, the military brass, and some crazy preachers. THat they do so well on the state level is due to their redistricting efforts. The Democrats are in perpetual danger of losing the Senate, but in Senate elections they usually poll between 10 and 20 million more votes than the Republicans. That's why the rethugs always refer to democratic controlled areas as "the one party state." It's true. Republicans are not a political party: they are a criminal gang and if we had functioning democracy, most of their officials over the last thirty years would be in jail and the party itself illegal.

Certainly Treason is their game.

I grew up Republican but I haven't met any years that were not dedicated to the destruction of our country. I don't think they know what they want to replace it with. Joker style, they just want to watch the world burn.