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Virginia Pratt's avatar

I’m so depressed.

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Barb O's avatar

With the issue of taking away birthright citizenship (which, by the way, many countries in the world DON'T have either), given how it's been presented, I realized that, since neither of my parents were citizens when I was born in the 1950s, technically, I would not be a citizen. They were not both naturalized until I was 5. Can I please get deported to Slovenia? It's a beautiful country. They speak English. Housing is more affordable. Everyone has health care. College is free. Food is healthier. Not everyone can have guns that wants them. Childcare is more available. Taxes are not unreasonable.

Add to that, though, the depression that comes from the hate that emanates from MAGA that affects me and my family. They, in effect, hate my son. Hate my niece. Hate my friend's 5 year old. Hate my best friend. Hate Muslims. Hate POC. As much as I work to not let this stuff get to me, it's a constant barrage of their garbage everywhere you go. And they do stupid stuff like now changing the Department of Defense to the War Department. Who asked for that? Just stop.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm not sure what more I can do to deal with.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

Oh, Barb, I had to chuckle at your comment about moving to Slovenia. How many times have my husband and I fantasized about moving away from here since January?!? I’m sorry for the way you are feeling and can definitely relate. It is the hate that is the hardest to take, especially when it comes from family members and people you’ve known your whole life…, and to make it worse, you just can’t understand how those people can BE that way! Sending good wishes for you to get out, enjoy some sun, or do something for YOU today to give you a break from this! ♥️

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Barb O's avatar

I actually wanted to move to Canada about 20 years ago, because I had my fill of stupid Republican Presidents' policies, proliferation of guns and gun violence, and the observation that things were not headed in the right direction. Alas, they didn't need ICU nurses at the time, so I was stuck here. No country is perfect, but the promise of the United States for average folk has been unravelling since the days of Reagan. I now spend time trying to convince my son to move to a country more deserving of him and his talents. Thanks for your thoughts.

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

Canada has become extremely expensive now. Housing is next to impossible to purchase with starter homes starting at $600,000. Taxes are in the 15% range on everything you buy. Groceries are skyrocketing. But I still love my home country of Canada.

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gunter.huainigg's avatar

I sure hope that you Canadians will soon be able to buy European Grocereries for a fair price-if so you will be better off in the End.The US-Food industry is killing their customers anyway with their shit they sell.

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

This is true. All the additives in their food and the diet of fast food is horrible. I am shopping at all Whole Foods but I have to complain that they only give you a discount if you have an Amazon account. I refuse to have an Amazon account.

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Tully's avatar

If you lived on one of the PNW islands, or in Gig Harbor and have to cross the Narrows toll bridge, they give a discount even without an Amazon account. We have to use Amazon delivery at times as we live on a ferry-locked island and can't always get to the store conveniently.

I was shocked to learn the owner/board of Trader Joes donated to Trump. Now I refuse to buy much there anymore either. We garden and can a lot, and have fruit trees. We just bought a second freezer - along with a generator for when the power goes out!

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Connie Larsen's avatar

I’ve never been asked where I live! But I always say my name n where I live! Then I start right in

Thanks for calling!

I’m PNW! Glad of it!

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

I wish I could garden. I live in a condo. Instead I am filling up my cupboards and freezer with food. I should look into a generator.

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gunter.huainigg's avatar

And all my respect to you personally!

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Barb O's avatar

Homes in my area are being built for $550,000 and up. Yes, way more expensive than they are worth. But you don't have the gun violence. You have health care like we don't. Those two make up so much of the "deficit." Someone explained to me recently how much you all pay for income taxes up there, and, when I factored in the cost of paying for private insurance family plan ($25k a year), your taxes for income at least, weren't unreasonable. Count your blessings. Not being the king of the world is also a benefit of living in Canada.

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

However, healthcare is not great in all areas especially in rural areas. I know for specialty doctors even in cities the wait time is six months plus. I was born and raised in Canada and lived there for 50 years. However, I met the man of my dreams here in the States and he was a navy veteran. After seeing what my parents and aunts and uncles went through because of Hitler and communism, I am willing to stay here and fight in my husband's memory.

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Connie Larsen's avatar

We visit White Rock on our way to V.I. Every year in August!

30+ years! Lov you!🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦

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Harvey'sdad's avatar

But don't forget. The exchange on the Canadian dollar means that US dollars are worth 30% more. Yes, it is expensive in Canada, but I far prefer Canada than to living under the current US regime.

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Connie Larsen's avatar

🔷🔹🩵 I feel like you too! I’m glad my time on earth is mostly over.

But one thing we can do is call members of Congress. I don’t hold back.

202 225 3121 will reach any member of congress! Give a name! Sometimes you get a person. I always leave a message. I also like to call the trump ass kissers. It’s easy n I am pretty sure they keep track of yay or nay! Start today.

Share the number with friends!

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Jane Davies's avatar

In addition, please use the 5Calls app to contact your legislators. Many times a person answers and they are so grateful for your call. I've made over 250 calls.

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

Thank you for mentioning the 5calls app. I downloaded it and will be making calls. I also write postcards for Activate America. My son just called me a hippie today and I was pretty proud of that. But I think my kids are pretty proud of what I am doing.

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Susan Donnelly's avatar

I agree. I call most days of the week. There’s plenty to call about.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

God bless you, Connie… it’s a heck of a reason to be glad about aging! I am calling!

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Tully's avatar

The actual number I've used that is listed on the Call Congress assist, is 202-224-3121. I double checked and your 225 one also goes through with the same message to ask for the Congress person you want to talk to. If I'm calling a MAGA person not in my state, before I call I look up a town in that person's district with a real zip code in case they ask if I'm a local constituent!

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Jean Nelson's avatar

I was going to leave a snarky jab at humor—Pancakes and Big Coffee always helps….but no, knowing the cruelty and hunger in this world knocked me right down. Wish—Any recommendations for food donation distributions that won’t end with killings of the hungry?

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gunter.huainigg's avatar

The so called ALP_ADRIATIC SEA region is a very nice place: Slovenia, North-East Italy and Southern Austria.

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Bob Henry Baber's avatar

Concise reporting. Ty

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Teri Gelini's avatar

Agree

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Jacqueline Klein's avatar

I can relate. I’ve felt that way since trump came down that gaudy escalator in his 1st vanity project to himself. Actually I

Ve despised him since he tore down a NYC landmark to build that project to stroke his fragile ego.

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Merry's avatar

I’ve been following trump’s so-called career for decades starting when I was living/working in midtown Manhattan near trump tower. His reputation as a cheater, liar, fraud, bully, racist, con, mob-style bully, racist bigot, misogynist who hires undocumented workers then stiffs them, and a womanizer who assaults women is well known. He’s despised by most New Yorkers. So I was stunned when he ran for president and was actually nominated!

But my sister and I used to laugh hysterically at the sheer notion that he could possibly win! And then, we were speechless when he actually did win.

But the fact that republicans didn’t stop him by indicting him and removing him from office after the Democratic house impeached him TWICE was incomprehensible. But then they renominated and re-elected him???? It’s stupifying. It seems the fix is in…P2025 is rapidly being implemented by some very powerful people…can WE THE PEOPLE STOP THIS?

We must stay focused on our primary goal.

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Skitealwedrop's avatar

Your description of the orange monster is spot on. May I add one more to your list? Narcissistic is also a diagnosis that is backed up by Mary Trump and fitting for the vile felon.

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Merry's avatar

Absolutely. I studied psychology in premed undergrad, specifically focused on deviant behavior. And I’ve been following Mary Trump for the past few years. Because of her professional training AND because she is a family member who grew up with him, she knows better than anyone that trump is a pathological sociopathic narcissist. And that underlying psychosis makes him dangerous and drives his behavior.

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Skitealwedrop's avatar

Thank you for sharing your professional diagnosis. I feel that the SCOTUS and the GOP have created this monster that will continue to harm so many of us. It feels that the monster has no guardrails.

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Pirate Studebaker's avatar

Don't leave Melania out of the mix. She's played her part in putting Donnie where he is and been handsomely paid for it.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

I agree, and it is overwhelming when you think of what needs to occur for this to change.

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Merry's avatar

Yes, it feels daunting, overwhelming, and SO SO WRONG.

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Jacqueline Klein's avatar

I was working at Rockefeller center the day Bonwits came down. I was mortified the city let that happen.The day I saw him come down that escalator I screamed “HELL NO” so loud my dog made a mad dash for the back of the closet. Election night I screamed again even louder. Every time I heard his voice I threw stuffed toys at the tv. I knew what a pig he is after running into him at 54 and he asked to buy me a drink. My skin crawled.

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Nancy Endersby's avatar

I so agree with you but not because I intentionally followed his career but since I was in junior high he has been on everything! Gossip rags, mainstream news, talk shows, tv, magazines! I have found him arrogant since the first time I saw him interviewed. Like I have said too many times, if you are over the age of forty there is no way you didn’t know what he was about!

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Jeff Potts's avatar

Technically Trump himself wouldn't be a citizen. Frederick and Elizabeth Trump weren't citizens when they had Fred Trump (Donald's father). So DJTs wouldn't have been a citizen and even though his Mother was apparently that's not good enough in Trumpland. This makes me think that he's violating the qualifications for becoming president. You know, having to be a naturally born citizen of the United States. Deport his ass.

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Alison's avatar

Slovenia sounds good to me, let's go :)

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Skitealwedrop's avatar

I’ll go with you 😎

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Kate's avatar

I m heartbroken for you and your family and .many others! What the idiots in charge dont realize is that WE'RE ALL IMMIGRANTS!! This administration is

daily ripping this entire country to shreds because of the morons who continue to support A CONVICTED FELON RAPIST who has and continues to lie for his own benefit. As well there are no Republicans who have the GUTS to stop his and his GOON SQUADS criminal behavior! The ice raids the birthright citizenship fiasco the SCOTUS dealing blow after blow to the laws and ignoring Constitutional precedent giving this FASCIST FELON free reign IS so much to take! It's deplorable DISGUSTING and the maggots who are still in his corner have ruined America!! And who will stop the lawlessness?!! The GOP and the FELON need to be IMPEACHED IMMEDIATELY!! Hard to still have hope but we SHALL OVERCOME SOMEHOW!!!

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Teri Gelini's avatar

I feel you. It would be nice to have one peaceful day without the headlines being so horrendous.

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Kathy Sowers's avatar

The press did the same thing his first term, all donald all day every day. Press got so lazy, they didn't even have to do anything except parrot that despot. Now they're back at it again. Some days I just skip it and have a day of peace.

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Teri Gelini's avatar

I too have had to learn to skip a day here and there and to be sure to get a daily walk outside with the dogs for sanity.

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Terry's avatar

As long as you're not LGBTQ - I don't think it's safe for my tribe...

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Robin D's avatar

Terry, unfortunately I don't think you would be welcomed since it was at one time a Communist country making up part of Yugoslavia, and it is mainly Christian. I "My tribe" would not be welcomed either.

But I just read something remarkable in the NYT. Halfway down the digital page, but at least it wasn't hidden. More than 100,000 marched in Hungary today for Pride Day. Usually a low-key event. I didn't know they have been having them since 1995. Orban banned it, threatened "legal consequences" but Budapest's liberal mayor allowed it. Rainbow flags.Turned into a mass rally against Orban and his authoritarian regime. Somebody said "they think we're stupid. It's a distraction from the stealing and other problems".Someone showed up with her son in a wheelchair just to show " she was fed up with this gov't trying to make us all afraid".

The Orange Menace, who how many times in his rallies talked about the "great Viktor Orban"" and welcomed him to Mar-a-lago, as he was planning his coup, while Orban probably gave him the "Authoritarian for Dummies" playbook should take heed.

This was my favorite part: "A minor kerfuffle broke out when a Dutch evangelical Christian walked through the crowd carrying a cross and cursing participants as "traitors to G-d" followed by a man from Sweden waving a copy of the bible"

No offense to anyone's religion but these are the hypocrites hiding behind their cross.How dare they judge anyone who wants to live their lives in peace as a "traitor"? I will always stand up for LGBTQ rights . I have family and

many friends. Keep hope. 🙏 (I can't find the pride flag emoji on my kindle fire. The worst) but I raise it for you and all my friends and family.

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Jeri's avatar

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Here you go. 😊

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Robin D's avatar

Thank you Jeri!🙏

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gunter.huainigg's avatar

Slovenia certainly has changed over the past 30 years-to the positive, while the US has changed too.............................

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Pirate Studebaker's avatar

The reason the US has birthright citizenship is because virtually the entire population outside of Native Americans are immigrants.

Also why other countries don't have it. Families in England or France have been citizens since the beginning of their countries.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

Raissa, I hear you loud and clear, and agree. I am being active in all the ways I know how… I write and call my representatives and my governor- multiple times. I donate money to those fighting for people’s rights- the ACLU, activist groups, and give to my local food banks. I attend the meetings and rallies and protests, but sometimes it feels like it’s all doing very little good. I’m fighting, but sometimes I don’t know how much good I’m doing.

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Kathy Sowers's avatar

If multitudes of us do what you do (and I was happy to see your list of what you do is similar to mine), it DOES make a difference! I'm also on The Contrarian substack and they are involved in the law part of it as well, and we get the most encouraging updates from behind the lines. That helps me a lot!

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Kathy Sowers's avatar

So how do we organize that and follow through, the $1 from everyone on Substack?

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Agree!💯💯💯💯

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Vivian G Harriman's avatar

That makes two of us, Virginia. We are fighting an uphill battle, and I'm doing my damndest to push through burnout. 🫩

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Jen Zaiss's avatar

Agreed Vivian-and we are only 6 mo in. Hard to see how we will survive, but we must!

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Pam Jones's avatar

I'm so with you! When I go out, I'm blown away how everyone acts like life is normal...

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Pirate Studebaker's avatar

That's exactly what Jesus said would happen as the end times neared. People would carry on as if all is normal as the world falls to pieces around them.

You are blessed to be able to see it.

It's amazing how the Biblical prophecies are coming true. God Bless.

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Porter's avatar

Right there with 😢

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Skitealwedrop's avatar

I think what gets me the most is Conold’s constant chaos. He must have ADD.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

Or dementia

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Kathy H's avatar

I don't think his deficit & disorder is primarily "attention", even though his inability to be consistent in anything is a defining characteristic & the use of Adderall seems evident. I believe his truly is a deficit of character, a dangerous lack of grounding ethics & principles. He only seems to believe in his own superiority & that is totally disconnected from the reality of human experience. That's what is so maddening, though, I agree, humans can't thrive in constant chaos & that is his whole M.O. He once said that, his ability is in creating "controversy". That's deliberate.

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Pirate Studebaker's avatar

Our ally is his age. He won't be able to keep this pace up much longer. He will crack regardless of how many drugs he takes, etc.

I was raised in a family of malignant narcissists and witnessed their collapse multiple times. It always happens as they age.

What we can pray for is it happens sooner instead of later. That would be a blessing for us all. Trump included.

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Kathy H's avatar

Unfortunately, I know the experience, too, of death being the only end to it. But, I think it's going to take more to break the chains of generational trauma, it's not just dying out, but comes back in awful ways. Somehow maybe we can do whatever work is necessary to prevent this imbalance again. Project 2025 has been a long game in the making, Felon47 seems like the worst there has ever been, but clearly there is no shortage of people willing to take that role. I hear what you're saying, the relief would be welcome, but really not an end to it, but the beginning of the work that needs to be done. I saw it that way if Harris had been elected, too, a lot of work to be done. Maybe that would have only put off the inevitable, we need significant change in our country so that power does not become so imbalanced again. I pray the people take back power & stay involved so we are never held hostage like this again. It breaks my heart that more generations would know the experience that we did. It's a call for everyone to step up as adults.

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Jeri's avatar

Severe malignant narcissism according Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gardner

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Kathy H's avatar

Yup, I don't think we can disregard the opinions of professionals. And, psychological diagnosis aside, anyone that has any experiences with abusive people or bullies can recognize the behavior. I'm having a real hard time with people somehow being OK with that, it shows how unwell we are culturally. I talked myself sick again with a neighbor I am trying to find common ground with still, & they keep insisting this what "everyone" voted for. I don't care, even if that was true, it's not healthy. How can you claim to be an honest person & support someone you know is dishonest? I wish to hell it wasn't affecting our lives & we could count on politics balancing out & the system correctly itself, but I don't trust that now, we let those self-absorbed with their own promotion have too much power.

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June Hunsley's avatar

Stay strong, it’s a

very abnormal situation you are all in but it can’t last and all past dictators came to a bad end. I sincerely hope he meets his soon ( Epstein situation might help ) Much support from UK x

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Kathy H's avatar

It means "the world" that people in other countries realize that most of us are not the ugly americans being shown. We let bad actors get horrifically out of control. It's unacceptable here & absolutely unacceptable, the impact on the rest of the world. No one can be subjected to this vile dysfunction, we have too much to do as a global community. Thank you! x

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sramsay's avatar

I'm with you, Virginia. Just having a hard time over here.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

I know that we were warned it would be this way, and that feeling so depressed is exactly what the administration wants. It’s just hard to try so hard… writing letters, making calls, attending rallies, and feel like we may never tip the balance.

I think I’m also just so disillusioned by how our government, which was built to avoid this dominance of power, is NOT working. I read about people getting angry with the Democrats in Congress. There are some who are fighting tooth and nail with us, but as long as those Republican Congressmen and Congresswomen and Senators (which are ALL of my representatives, btw) will not budge… even when people voice their displeasure, and when the Supreme Court appears to be largely in the administration’s pocket, there’s no way to check the Executive Branch.

I will try to take some time away from the news today to try and regain some of my “fight”. It’s just good to hear from all of you that I’m not alone! Love and light to you all!

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Catdad78's avatar

I had a triple bypass February 5th and a side effect is depression. None of what’s been going on is helping that so I have decided to go see a therapist. We need to take care of ourselves as well as all the people who need help from this regime. Stay safe friends and please get the help you need to get healthy so we can fight back and keep our sanity.

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SLGib's avatar

This bs is not worth your own self worth- rest then PUSH Back at every opportunity!!

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

Thank you!

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Kimberly Montgomery (CA)'s avatar

This is all I can handle reading these days. I don't watch the news. Some days, I can't even do my Substack favorites. I know we have been in this place before historically, and I know this too shall pass, but not before destroying America's ability to be a global leader and an economic beacon.

I hope the Dems are regrouping, reinventing, and creating a plan to not only right this sinking ship, but make it impenetrable from future Oligarchy Autocratics trying to rule as Kings.

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LHS's avatar

I'm with you. Lately, I can't even read some of my favorite Substacks. I click on the post, scroll briefly and have to close the window. It's all just too much cruelty and insanity.

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Virginia Pratt's avatar

This is my hope as well, Kimberly!

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Bikracer's avatar

Me too.

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LHS's avatar

I'm feeling the 2 Ds bigly: Despair and Disgust. I get what you are saying.

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Barb O's avatar

We need another march. Soon. I'm going to a local groups' protest tomorrow. It's also a food drive. My sign reads "Tax the rich. They'll get over it."

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Janice Dignum's avatar

Understandable. Try to take some actions against any of this horrible mess - even just understanding more of what is happening and why. Then take breaks and get some sunshine and watch some soul supportive things and talk to good people, even if just online. Think of and do what sustains you and helps you feel like you can keep soldiering on with the rest of us, who certainly have our low moments as well. We have to nurture our souls in the midst of all this soullessness. Hoping for you and all of us.

👊🌞🌞 🌸🌻🌸

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Don't be depressed. Get to work to un-elect Republicans in your area!

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Beth Sandman's avatar

I am grieving for my beloved country.

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Jean Nelson's avatar

How do I text the Pope? I (we) need a life line. 🎣

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Gretchen's avatar

You and me both

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