It's all over but the crying.

[tyrannosaurus vex]

It is clear now the degree to which American society has come undone under the watchful eye of increasingly aloof and distant Federal Government administrations. We, as a single people, now face a singular threat to our livelihood and our standard of living in the form of an economic downturn the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Depression. We do not even now know the depths to which this current recession will go, and it seems that most of our economy is now functioning only out of some tragic combination of shock and denial, like a mortally wounded animal still frantically running in circles after an injury that has left it without any hope of survival.

So how do we, as Americans, respond to this threat? Do we respond, as in generations past, with a unified voice and a coordinated strategy? Of course not. Responding that way is out of vogue, and anyway none of us really has a good grasp of what this "Economic Crisis" is really about, what really caused it, or how bad it might get. All we know is that it is a Bad Thing, and that Somebody Is To Blame. And that is really the limit of how well the vast majority of Americans understand what is happening, regardless of our political affiliations or social persuasions.

We were, however, caught by this severe drawdown in American economic prestige in the middle of a particularly heated Presidential campaign, so in its infancy this crisis was framed in starkly partisan terms. It became a stage on which intellectually vacant and morally bankrupt political leaders and pundits from all points on the political spectrum stood to act out their imaginary parts as historic heroes. As the effects of this recession have spread across the country (and the world), these partisan terms have become more entrenched in most Americans' minds.

So, ultimately, the American People -- long admired worldwide by our ability to rise up and meet dangerous threats head-on and defeat our enemies both physical and philosophical against intimidating odds -- have chosen -- boldly, as is our custom -- to respond to this latest attack on our sovereignty by wildly accusing, ignoring, and defaming not the perpetrators or the benefactors of this crisis, but each other. The "Liberals" believe it is the "Conservatives'" fault, and the "Conservatives" believe it is the "Liberals'" fault. Never mind that while we waste our time pointing fingers, calling names, and insulting ideas, our economy slides further and further into the murky waters of what promises to be a permanent recession.

We have been, truly and deeply, divided. All that is left for us now is the conquering. And make no mistake, there are plenty of conquerors waiting for the right moment to strike. When we have exhausted, insulted, accused, and isolated ourselves so much by our pedantic bickering that we are unable to trust our fellow citizens even enough to fight alongside them to preserve what little liberty we collectively care about, the endgame will become alarmingly clear. And it will be too late.

But the recession has not yet canceled FOX News or MSNBC, and all the pundits are still able to fire their poisonous barbs at light-speed across a continent full of people who would rather play the blame game than come up with solutions, and who are all too willing to trade comprehension for complaining and sacrifice action for a bet on the right to say "I told you so."

Somewhere, as the bodies of million patriots and founders flop about and spin in their graves, a slight earthquake mildly disturbs a tea party in the executive boardroom of AIG.

[Murmur]

   Bravo!

[OPTIMUS PINECONE]

     What about the

     1) Screaming

     2) Wailing
 
     3) Gnashing of teeth

     ?

[Jenne]

It's not just the damned Feds.  Increasingly, the grassroots movements in all local sectors are also meeting with increased distance and standoffishness from state and local governments as well.  Used to be that you felt you had at least SOME sway with your local people, who you'd meet out and about and share the occaisional donut, buffet line and church pew with.

Nowadays, everyone's too big for their breeches, and the great unwashed go by and far unlistened to and uncared for.  The way the politicians can locally push you off is the same technique as their bigwig counterparts:  "Well, Gee, EVERYONE needs SOMETHING--not all you people are going to be satisfied!"  So what gets satisfied?  Their bottom line, and fuck everyone who put them in office thinking they'd make a difference.

I sit on several ad hoc grassroots committees for this reason.  Just so I can keep tabs on the mayor's people, the councilpeople and the board of ed people.  So they aren't just names on a slate when I go to vote.

[Thurnez Isa]

Good job Vex!
love the last line especially

So, ultimately, the American People -- long admired worldwide by our ability to rise up and meet dangerous threats head-on and defeat our enemies both physical and philosophical against intimidating odds -- have chosen -- boldly, as is our custom -- to respond to this latest attack on our sovereignty by wildly accusing, ignoring, and defaming not the perpetrators or the benefactors of this crisis, but each other. The "Liberals" believe it is the "Conservatives'" fault, and the "Conservatives" believe it is the "Liberals'" fault. Never mind that while we waste our time pointing fingers, calling names, and insulting ideas, our economy slides further and further into the murky waters of what promises to be a permanent recession.

Shock or Disbelief
Denial
Bargaining
Guilt
Anger
Depression
Acceptance and Hope

and as for the pundits it seems things are actually getting worse.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

     What about the

     1) Screaming

     2) Wailing
 
     3) Gnashing of teeth

     ?

5. PROFIT!!!!

[Aufenthatt]

     What about the

     1) Screaming

     2) Wailing
 
     3) Gnashing of teeth

     ?

5. PROFIT!!!!

[tyrannosaurus vex]

and i thought this one flopped :/

[The Good Reverend Roger]

It's not just the damned Feds.  Increasingly, the grassroots movements in all local sectors are also meeting with increased distance and standoffishness from state and local governments as well.  Used to be that you felt you had at least SOME sway with your local people, who you'd meet out and about and share the occaisional donut, buffet line and church pew with.

Nowadays, everyone's too big for their breeches, and the great unwashed go by and far unlistened to and uncared for.  The way the politicians can locally push you off is the same technique as their bigwig counterparts:  "Well, Gee, EVERYONE needs SOMETHING--not all you people are going to be satisfied!"  So what gets satisfied?  Their bottom line, and fuck everyone who put them in office thinking they'd make a difference.

I sit on several ad hoc grassroots committees for this reason.  Just so I can keep tabs on the mayor's people, the councilpeople and the board of ed people.  So they aren't just names on a slate when I go to vote.

This is the correct answer.  The entire system is broken.

[Jenne]

True dat, Rog.

Good to "see" you here, too.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

True dat, Rog.

Good to "see" you here, too.

I just needed a few days to get my shit together.

[Jenne]

True dat, Rog.

Good to "see" you here, too.

I just needed a few days to get my shit together.

I hear you.  My shit's still in pieces, but that's just my problem.  ACKshilly, I think I just enjoy it that way.

Sick, I know.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

True dat, Rog.

Good to "see" you here, too.

I just needed a few days to get my shit together.

I never left, and I still don't have my shit together.

Good to see you back!

[The Good Reverend Roger]

True dat, Rog.

Good to "see" you here, too.

I just needed a few days to get my shit together.

I never left, and I still don't have my shit together.

Good to see you back!

Glad to be back.  On a different trip, now.