The Great Divide and Apathy Towards Politics

[Crunchy]

I can't speak for every nation, but the system we have is actually very good. We live in one of the most egalitarian, non violent and wealthiest societies the world has ever seen compared to what has come before, and most people don't know this and do nothing but complain. I'm guilty of this at times as well . Humans have a well known negativity bias.



I've been following the news for at least the last 35 years and every single day, at every single point in the news cycle since i can remember, the world is on the verge of collapse. EEEEKKKK.
I'm not kidding, every single day. 

My suggestion is to not watch any news at all for a couple of months. Nothing will happen to you. You're life won't change in the slightest.  When you return to the news, the world will once again be presented as though it's on the verge of collapse. It isn't.

You don't need to worry yourself too much about it, but there is also no need to withdraw from society either. Find a point of balance for yourself where you can enjoy all the benefits this incredible period of time has to offer, but where you can still maintain a sense of what's going on and where you can best direct your time and energy. IMO you have no obligation to save the world or get involved in politics, but you should at least try not to be a burden to the world either. In the meantime, have fun when you can.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

You seem to be thinking that I hope to incite change or something by making some post on an internet forum? I can assure you that is not that case.

No, I don't think you 'hope to incite change'.  I think you're just having a whinge.

You sit there and tell me I should "get up off my arse" then you suggest starting a petition or donating to a political candidate? That's hilarious.

I suggested other things, but let's address these two.  Elected representatives, contrary to what you seem to think, do indeed respond to petitions - I've lived under three markedly different political systems, I know whereof I speak.  Isn't there something in the constitution you seem to despise about 'petition the government for a redress of grievances'?  I'll get to the bit about political donations below.

I don't need to participate in a broken system to diagnose or simply recognize problems within that system. Just like I don't need to be a mechanic to notice that my car isn't running correctly. The difference is, if my car broke down I could, and would want to, actually fix it.

Ok, comparing a broken car to a broken political system is rather a clumsy analogy, but let's run with it. Let's suppose that your personal security, even your life, depended on your car being operative.  Which course would you take:  run round to strangers singing the blues about your car, or (as you said) fix it yourself?  I'm sure you'd take steps to fix the car, so why are you so resistant to fixing your political system?

Also...you call it running? I call it survival.

*shrug* Call it what you like - if it grunts like a pig and shits like a pig, there's a very good chance that it's a pig.

People like you would just be a source of food, fuel, weapons and shelter for people like me in any sort of shit-hits-the-fan situation. (though to be completely clear I have no reason to believe that anything like this will happen any time soon, I'm not some sort of doomsday prepper type)

*indulgent chuckle*  Ok, tough guy.  When the 'shit hits the fan', come over and help yourself to my worldly goods.

Get down from your high horse. All I wished to do was see if anyone notices the same things I notice.

If that was the intent of your post, you're not even as bright as I gave you credit for.

And if you're not bringing money into politics, you're bringing bullshit.

But donating your money to a campaign is pointless?  Can't have it both ways, Chuckles.

Boru

[AceBoogie]

*shrug* Call it what you like - if it grunts like a pig and shits like a pig, there's a very good chance that it's a pig.

And this pig will be alive while folks like you will have sacrificed yourself for the greater good. My greater good. Like I said, survival.

*indulgent chuckle*  Ok, tough guy.  When the 'shit hits the fan', come over and help yourself to my worldly goods.

Not about being tough. But your attitude suggests that you're like most other citizens out there. Most people are like sheep.

If that was the intent of your post, you're not even as bright as I gave you credit for.

I don't know how I'll sleep tonight knowing that I don't live up to your standards.

But donating your money to a campaign is pointless?  Can't have it both ways, Chuckles.

You're comparing me donating to a campaign to the sort of big money that changes hands in high end politics like presidential elections? You really can't be that thick in the head.

Not sure what angers you so much about my distaste for politics or why you insist on insulting me so much. Did I strike a nerve there, Boru? Chill the fuck out bud. As you said, I'm just having a whinge.

Ace

edit: I'm loving this haughty, self-righteous attitude of yours, you should post more than just little one liner quips like you normally do.

[Minimalist]

It is 2017 and America still runs based on some document that was written over 200 years ago...

Except for the obvious fact that it has been amended 27 times and redefined by the courts a shitload of times.  Actually, I think we have made a great deal of progress from the original which was written by a bunch of slave-owning elites who thought blacks were 3/5 of a human being ( and women and Indians were less than that.)  Which is not to say that improvements are not needed.  Time to get rid of the electoral college and the absurd idea that each state gets two senators regardless of population.

But be careful what you wish for.  The same forces of reaction ( and racism ) which are poisoning current political discussion will be instrumental in writing any replacement.

That's a scary fucking thought.  Look what the fuckers did to us last year.