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How do you avoid getting caught up in it? I used to think that if you were good enough and tried hard enough, you could fight the stupid and evil people in politics. Like Mr. Smith going to Washington.
Now I'm more likely to defer to Nietzsche, who said
Quote:
Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.
I am so disgusted with the actions of politicians and I know that I would just become demoralized if I "went to Washington", so to speak. And I know that the politicians know that about me, and are counting on it, and make politics such a hellish place because they want control over it. So politics is dominated by awful people who drive everyone else away.
There is a Chinese national at my work who says life in China is pretty good as long as you stay away from politics. If you try to mess with the system, it comes down hard on you. Is the US really all that different?
How democratic is the US actually? It seems more like a bully oligarchy to me. If you have a bully personality, you can hack it in government. If you don't, well keep your head down and pay your taxes. Or else.
At least in the US we can caterwaul online and make jokes about our "leaders". And you can nibble around the edges like move to a different city or state that suits you better. But it seems like an inescapable part of the human experience that we are doomed to be lorded over by sociopaths.
Speak your mind, stand for what you believe in, be willing to listen to others, AND do not waste your time debating with those that are not willing to listen. Enjoy life outside of the political bubble
You wake up in the morning and wash the dishes, keep yourself clean and then help as many people as you can. You spend time on your own education, entertainment and enjoyment.
Period.
We Hippies went through all the various sages, gurus, religions and substances. We came to the same conclusions that most of those in history came to.
Speak your mind, stand for what you believe in, be willing to listen to others, AND do not waste your time debating with those that are not willing to listen. Enjoy life outside of the political bubble
This might be as good as it gets, in the US at least.
If you speak your mind in China you can end up in prison or worse.
My problem is that I want the world to be better, rather than accept it as it is. And, probably foolishly, I see politics as a means because its influence is so obvious.
That said, politics is about the worst way to try to improve things. It always goes sideways. If you're really committed to helping the world, you cure polio and give it away for free.
Sure you can drop out of the system, but that doesn't mean it will leave you alone.
I know how to live with a clean conscience. I'm despairing more about how to live without being pushed around.
Work for yourself.
Marry the right partner.
Don't get involved with toxic people.
Accept being pushed around by your mate.....but give as good as you take (in a nice way).
Having to do things for money seems to be a tough one. I was lucky and hardly ever had to do this...that is, I worked for myself as soon as I learned enough trades to do so.
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