I understand. I completely understand where you are coming from. I call it the wall, the part where you feel like giving up because no matter how hard you try, things just seem to get crazier...
I would tell you to stay... but I think you may be able to do more good in the world, and lend a hand back home.
Don't be that stereotypical "liberal" who whines and says "I'm moving to Canada" when things are bad. Too many people did that During Bush... that doesn't help.
Of course, I am not one to speak, I am an American who is now living in Australia... and I am enjoying it here immensely.
For me, I hit the wall at my Sister's Wedding Reception. My Step Brother was (and still is) a big Palin supporter, and he is a Birther. After trying to reason with him... using facts, and being calm and rational about it, he simply wouldn't budge. And then I imagined that 1 out of every 5 people believed as he believed and there is nothing, not fact, not reason, not logic that will change his mind.
It threw me for a loop.
then in insanity of Death Panels, and Government messing with Medicare, and the insanity that was spewed not only by uninformed people, but elected officials. It also didn't help that I lived in Washington, DC where politics is as very much the same as the Redskins... continuously discussed, always argued over, and never resolved.
I decided I needed to step back. I like Obama... I really do. But I did not realize how insane it would become when he attempted to actually... you know... govern. I don't agree with everything he does... but I will vote for him again in a heartbeat. I understand that he is not as progressive as many of you (nor I for that matter), but I believe in him.
However... the American Public... I am shakey on.
I decided to move out of the country in January of 2010. I didn't know where, but I knew I wanted to go somewhere different... I was looking at the Developing World mostly.. I was imagining working for an NGO, or something worthwhile... bank a lot of money, and just... live a different life. I had been to Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal, and I really wanted to go to one of these countries and do something... completely different.
I would argue you should try this... Progressive Warrior... you are 19... there is Peace Corps after college, there are other things you can do in this world where you can make a difference. Try them out. There are so many opportunities out there, why limit them to only Canada, or Western Europe... if you are indeed someone who wants to change the world... get your hands dirty.
I took a trip to Australia and New Zealand, it was my first non-work related trip in a long while, and I had the Frequent Flier miles to make the plane fare free. To put it simply, I loved it. The people, the atmosphere. Everything. I also randomly met a wonderful man while I was here... and it was almost like Fate. I decided quickly that Australia is my destination.
I sold almost everything. I packed up my life, and moved. I haven't regretted it.
I love politics, I love the drama it entails. However, I need my distance from it now. What we are living in is not politics. This is not politics, this is something far more sinister and scary.
I watch here in the comfort of my home here, and as I read about the mysterious 14,000 votes appearing, and I just sigh.... I see the GOP openly calling for the Repeal of Medicare (where are the Tea Partiers I ask... their sacred Cow is about to be slaughtered, and nary a word?) It doesn't look right, it doesn't sound right, and unfortunately, because the people in power want to win, they will not question. It could be all legit... however, it seems really bad to me, and it just seems... sigh.
That is not America, that is not free and fair elections.
But don't give up. If you want to move... then Move... I think being an Ex-Patriot is a fine thing. I try to be the example that I want America to be. I don't want Sarah Palin to define my country... I show people time and time again that being an American doesn't mean I am dumb, or uneducated, or uncurious about the world.
The wall is there... but you can get past it... and along the way, do something better for yourself, and the world.
Just a thought.