Before politics

I was just thinking today about how much my view on people and the world has changed and how I feel has changed since I started following politics.
Prior to 2008 while I was studying international relations and that crazy election season was going on I had never watched CNN or felt the need to follow politics. And to be honest I feel as though it's screwed with my head. I know that I now know more about reality whereas before I was just a naive kid but I can't help but feel if ignorance can be bliss? I mean for all the crap I see on the news and all the politics I go through it's not like I can do anything more than just complain, express my opinion, and vote when given the opportunity. It feels like what I can actually do about it is so minute that I wonder if it's even worth caring about? Is it better to just save your peace of mind and tune everything out?

 

crazy talk, knowledge is power. I was an international politics major, got turned off to the whole political realm as a career choice when I interned on a campaign. but I still feel the need to educate myself, if for no other reason than to feel comfortable that I know how things work.

 

Very good question. The answer is relative to what you find satisfactory.

Politics grew from something very basic and fair. Show the people who you are, your credentials, your personality, and what you will do if elected. It is then the peoples job to judge that criteria and if all goes to plan, the country improves....or so we thought. The problem with modern politics is the politicians who came before this time. The ones who broke down regulation and constantly amended previously established rhetoric, even going so far as to edit the constitution, and other legislation vital to the interest of the people who do all the work. Modern day media which over complicates the process is the reason the majority of Americans have simply lost interest in it, with apathy as an ugly side effect. They have forgotten that they need to pay attention, in order to better their own lives and the lives of those associated with the country.

Before his death in April of 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a plan not to amend the bill of rights, but to add a new one. His bill proposed 1)Every American no matter of creed, color or sex would have the right to a job.2)An adequate wage and living. 3)A good home. 4)Medical care with no questions, 5)Economic protection in sickness in old age and in unemployment, 6)A good education. Sadly his bill never came to application, but if it had he would have been un-arguably the greatest, most productive president in the history of the country, ever. He pretty much achieved this status anyway.

The politicians who came after Roosevelt's unfortunate demise, especially anyone during or after the Ronald Regan administration, used a rhetoric that expressed an interest not of the American people...but the interest of big time corporations. This was done because people from within these corporations, worked their way into the financial governmental infrastructure and began offering sums of money to politicians and employees of the government. Often times the sums were enormous when compared to the average earnings of an American citizen. In fact the president of the united states makes a small salary, when compared to offers placed upon the table by big corporation, who looks at the offer as an investment in future profits. Being only human, the politicians couldn't refuse, and took these vile offers. Now politics seems helpless, from the eyes of the average American. With the current average voter turnout, they pretty much are. Just like the powers that be, had planned. An apathetic society to beaten to care, and to confused to know what to care about specifically.

To be honest its only a matter of time before the people figure out that its complete bullshit and decide to bake a completely new pie. If we cook it at just the right temperature, add all the proper ingredients, and slice it EVENLY..then we can rest easily. It seems worth it to me to care about politics, I would hate to stop caring right before it would matter the most.

If you braved all of that text, I thank you. But it is a complicated process, which requires complicated answers and opinions. Took me like 20 minutes and I hope at least some of it helps you in some way. I hope you don't give up.

 

I think its about finding a balance and learning how to remain aware of important issues while not letting the political landscape consume you.

Reality is what you make of it. If you are hiking in the woods and all you see is trees, dirt, moss, and rocks, then that is your reality. Politics effect you very little at that exactly moment in time, provided you are living in the moment.

Do things in your life that make you happy, that allow you to live in the moment. Also read and remain aware of what is going on outside your small place in the world so that when the current political problems come marching to your front door, you won't be taken by surprise.