I feel like such a burnout lately. No energy to analyze the myriad stories floating around. Have I been at this too long?
Not as long as this guy: How and why a political junkie lost his mojo from Daily Kos.
"At 79 years old, and about 60 years of deep, active, and personal political involvement, I am ready to “call it quits”. It’s not that I am unconcerned about our state, our nation, or future – its just that politics in today’s America (especially presidential politics) is so unbecoming…so unattractive…so exhausting…so…well you get the idea. At any rate, it’s not for me anymore. Maybe others (younger no doubt) will have the fortitude to press on."
I'm not even half that age or experience but I know just how he feels. This game is for the young and vicious. Here is the important lesson:
"I am frustrated by the power and astounding unreliability of the internet – which has become a cesspool of misinformation. With the simple click of a mouse, you can send a host of “untruths” to virtually hundreds of computers with the false assumption that whatever you are communicating is true. Too often it is not. Additionally, whatever scurillous message you are transmitting, can be morphed, embellished, and even further distorted as is commences its journey around the internet. I used to attempt to stop, correct, and even clarify those messages to the senders. Not any more. It is hopeless."
That may be it, the tenacious children of darkness find it easy, both morally and physically, to spread lies in service to power. Anyone wishing to hold back the tide cannot possibly compete. This kind of work pays in only one direction. Truth, facts, even what we see with our own eyes has just been bulldozed by stampeding propaganda. Ideology trumps all. No compromises, no admission of mistakes, deny the obvious. And they are winning.
Maybe I'll get my mojo back. I hope so, our work is cut out for us.
So, you are finally realizing that Progressivism in its current incarnation is a sham. It only feels hopeless because there is no real pressure on the elites to move toward a more egalitarian future. Our eroding workplace protections, 40hr work week, etc. didn't come from impassioned writing or spectacular speeches, they were crafted to stave off the very real threat of revolution. We need to create a crisis in order to force the other side to compromise. Otherwise, the drift to the right will continue until we are all boiled in multiple corporate pots.
ReplyDeleteToday's Progressivism is very similiar to yesterday's. It appeals to and is supported by the same sort of urban, middle class professionals that a century ago came out of the woodwork to try and rationalize government and the economy. They accomplished some very good things but were never more than what they appeared to be. Progressives today want to make capitalism more rational and efficient but have no real interest in equality.
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