Sorry for the short diary, but I'm curious.
Like most of you, I spend at least some part of everyday reading political blogs, fighting with relatives, watching the news, trying to persuade neighbors and as we're now heading in to the general, I'm wondering. How the hell are we going to get through this?
Like you, I'm a political junkie. Even on days where I swear I'm going to ignore politics, just for a day, just to relax and reset my brain, like a painful addiction, I can't turn away. I'm hooked and have been for some time. Of course, like any addiction, there are side effects and unpleasant ramifications that go along with this. There are the highs- electoral or legislative victories- and the lows- basically listening to any Republican talk about anything. Some days, I honestly don't know how I'm going to last until November without losing my mind from all the bullshit that we all know is coming. The endless lies Romney will tell that will go without being challenged will be relentless. The Rove/Koch money that will dominate the airwaves with a non-stop barrage of Dem/Obama bashing and, of course, lies. The polls, which will make us cheer one day and make us question humanity the next, will be persistent as well. And of all the political addictions, I think obsessive poll watching is the worst for me. If I see a day of bad polls (like the past few days) it does depress me. I start to lean towards the chorus of "we're doomed!" even though I know it is foolish to think so. I do it anyway. I can't help it. It's a gut reaction. And when I see Republican foolishness and hypocrisy dominate the media and national conversation (Ann Romney v Rosen) it makes me think that Bill Maher is right- this is a stupid country. Some days the news is so low for Team Blue that I wonder if this country is ever going to wake up.
And so here we are, roughly 6 1/2 months out of a enormously important general election. Another one. I want to know what you guys (and gals : ) ) do to cope on the down days. I feel like I need more than a few years before elections to regroup. Because right after this November is done, talks about the mid terms in 2014 begin and it seems like the fight never ends. It's exhausting.
But I know one thing for sure. I'm happy to be on the right team. I'm happy to be in the trenches with all of you fine folks, win or lose and be a part of this community as well as in the streets in my local community, fighting to get Dems elected locally and nationally. I may get scared and panic a bit, but I'm always in the game. As we all know, it's just too damn important not to be.
That being said, we're in for a rough ride, folks. I just hope the blood, sweat and tears will pay off in November. In the meantime, please feel free to share your most effective coping mechanisms. I'm going to need all the strength I can get!