I am writing this because, well just because. I read DailyKOS daily sometimes hourly; however, I am not a high profile or prolific contributor. I have written very few diaries, and in the past months have not even posted any comments.
So I figure, no one will even read this or care. And to be honest, it does not really matter; I just needed to write this.
Sometime last year my outrage meter broke. I can not remember what caused it to break. I was outraged about so many things. Maybe it just took time for the 2004 election results to sink in (I help persuade over 2 dozen life long republicans to vote for Kerry)
Maybe it was the fact that American Idol was getting about 1000% more news coverage than the war dead (U.S., Allies, and Iraqis) This nonsense kept reminding me of the old Russian saying "The people get the government they deserve" which now not olny applies to Russia but also to the U.S.
Maybe my outrage meter broke, when I realized how it was affecting my personal life, my family, what few friends I had, and my health.
Whatever it was, I just turned off the outrage. I also stopped contributing time and money to "the cause(s)". I stopped "preaching" and stop writing to my representatives and letters to the national and local media.
How can 1 in 1000, or more likely 1 in 100,000, make a difference. The MSM does not cover or care about the truth (The war, the corruption, the direction our country is heading in)
Before I get to my personal answer, I need to explain a few things. I served in the Marine Corps. I worked for and left the MIC at a great financial loss, due to how I felt for what it did/does.
I have very very close friends who now serve in the Arm Forces. Some, who are, have been, or are getting ready to deploy to the Middle East. I can not say Iraq, because I believe that one of my friends may very well already be in Iran because of his MOS.
So what I am about to say may sound crass and/or portray me as non-caring.
But, after my outrage meter broke.... I got a life. I decided to be like the rest of the U.S.A. and just not stress.. .go to work, do what has to be done (excluding anything really political) and spend my time creating, creating, creating.
I started quilting again, dyeing fabrics. I joined a guild. I am going to start teaching some classes... and giving workshops at retreats. Even though I work 40 plus hours a week, I try everyday to create something beautiful to share with others.
At the same time I share what is positive in life and in art with those around me.
I realize I could continue to fight and fight and fight to change what is wrong in Washington. But let’s be REAL folks, ain’t nothing going to happen... yesterday proves that.
So, instead of spending my time doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I spend every available minute trying to create something that makes people around me happy (my sphere of influence)
We may all be some form of "indentured" before this mess we call the U.S. or A. is all said and done.. But we can make what is around us beautiful, and that might help us all get trough what I believe are the rougher times to come.
Enough said, thanks for reading.