Outrage!
Cuts! Social Security! Caving!
Not so Fast!
Capitulation!
We don't yet know!
Compromise!
He's our only hope!
Righteous Indignation! Poor Negotiation!
Who should we vote for!
Medicare!
Revenues!
Poor People!
Wall Street! Rethuglicans! Banksters!
Goddamnittohell!
So, I was a regular visitor and an irregular commentator here for about a year prior to and a year subsequest to the election of President Barack H. Obama. I left.
And one notable effect from my abscence: a general uptick in my overall mood and outlook on life.
It absolutely could be coincidence, like everyone here, my life is complicated and sometimes frenetic. But I do know: outrage is emotionally expensive. And before you come at me, with the all-outraged "it's people like you who SHOULD be involved... we can't just quit and pretend to be happy" let me point out that I still vote, I still inform myself (albeit less histrionically) I support candidates, such as the current president, who stand between us and complete and utter insanity.
I also work in my capacity as a helping professional, enjoy time with my children, and generally strive to appreciate the important things in this short, precious life. I am sure many of you do, too. I fear that there are some, though, that have lost perspective. Goodness knows that I still often do.
But one thing I have learned about myself: DailyKos is terrible for my mental health and my outlook on life. If that is not your experience, then more power to you. If it is, you aren't alone. And if you are struggling with serious trouble, try taking a short break and just see what happens.
Outrage is terribly emotionally expensive. Handle yourselves with love and care. The best instrument for change is one that is sharp.
One political comment, or question (we'll see how this goes): if the "big three" are off the table in their entirety, what would you prefer be cut? Unfortunately we know defense won't get the axe. So please, don't be theoretical. Education? Early Childhood education? Basic research? It seems to me that much that is driving the recovery is discretionary spending, and if the big 3 are off limits, as well as defense, that will bode poorly for a lot of really important things.
And why is it off limits for a progressive to say that I would support continuing to invest in Head Start, for instance, over the big three any day of the week and twice on Sunday?
I fear collatoral damage from a myopic focus on the "big Three".
I hope I haven't been too outrageous.