Two things ...

First, and to show my age, I was a young high schooler who avidly worked for JFK back in 1960. And I still remember the sick, shocked feeling I had when after spendor of the election and the soul-lifting innauguration, the jackals came out in Congress, in the media and all you could hear were criticisms and ugliness. Looking back years later, I regretted very much that I let that drive me away, kept me from being engaged. I was prepared for it this time. It happens. That's all I can say. But it isn't the whole reality of what is happening, so I think (still wrestling with it myself) the best thing to do is let it become background noise and not let it distract you from the real challenges and achievements.

Second thing -- I read somewhere and wish to heck I could find it again, but someone who was making a lot of sense about several things wrote that they believed Obama *would* change things in Washington .. but that it would take time for the Republicans to realize it, that they would fight and fight hard to keep that from happening, only gradually coming around and realizing that it isn't the end of the world, that they might even benefit by joining in in a different way of doing things. Hey, one can hope --

And that is true of a lot of other progress, both personal and social. Someone explained it to me once that it's like a flower trying to grow above the weeds - that movement upwards is going to be painful, at least in the beginning, as it tries to push past the thorns and mats and tangles. But once it's past the weeds, there is sunshine and freer growth. As I said, once can hope....

What little hope I had is already about gone. It isn't the Republicans who act like November never happened, its the Dems. Harry Reid is a bitch. He disgusts me. More fucking tax cuts. More. This isn't bipartisan, Repuglicans still call all the shots.

This nation is run by the scum who ran it into the ground and they continue to assert their greedy influence on it. We deserve whatever we get. We gave them the power to do this. We let those who claim to represent us lie to our faces. We do not seek justice or equity as more than a pastime.

How about do anything?

Scientific, I'm glad you posted this. You are a powerful writer and your words resonate.

I still have a sliver of hope the Obama administration can pull us out of this. It will take a long time, though, and many of us will have to radically change the way we live.

Nothing short of a revolution can bring about the change that's needed. That's unlikely: the Washington mentality is too entrenched and too many people still aren't paying attention.

I'm with quinnesq -- keep putting one foot in front of the other no matter how bumpy the ride gets.

Yesterday, someone on CSPAN pointed out that the word 'crisis' comes from the Greek meaning:

To come to a decision

It seems to me that some important decisions are being made.

It's a recession. But not nearly as bad as the one Jimmy Carter gave us.

I'm hoping Obama is not as stupid as Carter. If so, there's no telling how bad it'll get during the four years we're commited to before we can elect another Reagan to set things straight.

"I'm not so naive as to believe that the change President Obama seeks to bring can happen this quickly. But...damn. The Republicans act like November never happened."

And this is why it is necessary now to kick their cracker asses and teach them a real solid lesson. Obama should withdraw each and every concession made to those lying, corrupt, unpatriotic sons of bitches, put a bill on the floor that does what it oughta and then call on the people of the United States like you and me to raise such a din they dare not obstruct progress for one more minute or face the wrath of the people in no uncertain terms.

I pray the President understands that we cannot afford to mess around with those worthless pieces of filth any longer.

Even though it's a bitter pill for us to swallow, I think it has been necessary for Obama to reach out to even the most repulsive Repuds and make a show of "bipartisanship" at the beginning of his tenure, in order to establish a baseline history that proves he gave it the old college try.

Too bad that coincides with grinding out this monumental stimulus bill, but all is not lost. Some of the "lost" stimulus items we are lamenting may be added back in the House/Senate conference process, and others will most assuredly be restored in later bills. And there will most probably be further bills targeted specifically as "stimulus", necessitated by increasingly obvious needs.

This is not the end of Obama's (and our) fight, or of history. Not getting everything in this one bill is not the end of the world for progressives. But the behavior most of the Repuds have displayed, and their apparent disregard for the consequences, is leaving them increasingly naked in public, exposed as the careless obstructionists that they are. They're doing a nice job of hastening their own marginalization and providing the Democrats with justification for excluding them from serious governance.

Scientific... I feel you. In my work.. helping people move their retirement into more secure vehicles etc. I hear the suffering some have gone through and are going through. However when I speak to them I 'always' encourage them to focus on what is working.. that 92% of america is still working... that this is america and we may need to get creative and find new ways forward but we can do it.

If it is true that what we focus on expands in our perception then I want to focus on the ways I can make things better. The ways I can create new work for myself and others. The ways that the american people are loving and good people worthy of great leaders and how I can engage to demand more from leadership...etc.

I am not suggesting we pretend the real challenges to our economy are not serious but I don't think we should respond to them like 911... full of fear and despair... if we lift our sights higher and understand that we all have a part to play in what our country is becoming, I think we can take heart, take action, and create new possibilities.

I think we're seeing more of the sausage making process than in any other time - it's ugly. The political reality in the senate is those in the middle will control the direction of the Senate bill. But worsening conditions in Ohio, Maine, Florida, and other key states where those moderates reside will ultimately drive the process. Also, this won't be the only stimulus package. It's only the first one - there are more battles ahead.

We're facing layoffs too - and it was worst back in October. I've been where you are, mentally and in my spirit, but it's springtime now, and it's time for something new. I talked to both my grandfathers recently, both of whom lived through the depression and their advice was similar. So there is soil in the back yard, pots by the windows, and seeds in the garage. Even if my angry mind is raging at the obstructionist republicans or moderates who just don't get it, my hands will be busy in the earth.

Sci, yours was always a voice I respected even when we disagreed early and often in the primary season. But we have the same goals now, even if we have probably have different perspectives about the whole stimulus debate. This week is what I expected from the GOP - playing PR games rather than putting country first. It was never that I doubted Obama's commitment to bi-partisanship - I always doubted that the other side would bargain in good faith rather than trying to gain political points for 2010. Obama's a quick study though. His toughened rhetoric during the end of the week shows he will not be fooled by these fools twice.

And on a personal note, I've been through corporate layoffs from both sides (as employee and as HR) and the experience is so draining on an emotional level. Q has it absolutely right. Keep walking. Keep talking (please! I've missed our blogs). And find strength where you can find it - in your faith, your loved ones & friends.