I am probably way off base with this, but I can't shake the feeling that we are sitting on the

[Atticus]

razor's edge; that we as a nation are just waiting for some relatively small event to nudge us either this way or that way---towards reason, tolerance and kindness or irrational bigotry and hate. I think that once the equilibrium is disturbed, things may happen in a rush,for better or worse; a flash flood that will either lift us to higher ground or pull us under.

Is this "the calm before the storm"?

[pnwest]

1. I don't think you're off base at all. I think

everyone feels that way, I sure do. We are truly in a fight for the soul of this nation.

[intrepidity]

2. I have the same feeling

That a whole lot of pent up energy may be reaching a threshold.

[MANative]

3. Ditto. With all this "energy," something's gotta give. NT

[alwaysinasnit]

4. K&R. Definitely not off base.

[pbmus]

5. And if repukes get more of the social safety net destroyed...

The revolution will not be televised...

[KentuckyWoman]

6. World wide, the 1% is feeding extremism and discord.

It isn't by accident. There is a plan. I don't know what. I'll be gone from the world before it takes full hold.

In the US, people will have to lose access to their screens before they revolt. Wild guess on my part.

[The Blue Flower]

7. Yes, but...

We have had mass shootings and domestic terrorist attacks without losing our equilibrium.

[Patterson]

8. I don't think it will be for the better.

[42bambi]

9. Yes, I believe that Nancy has a few more arrows in her quiver.

[marble falls]

10. No. This is the dawn of a new day. Quit looking for the black cloud wrapped around a silver lining.

[cwydro]

12. Wish I could rec your post.

+1

[marble falls]

14. We gotta keep the troops' spirits up! We're finally winning.

[cwydro]

15. It's a huge step in the right direction.

Although I find I’m not as jubilant about it as I thought I would be, I feel that the right thing has been done.

Very proud to be a member of the same party as Nancy Pelosi.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. It's like a poker game and both sides are all in.

Stakes are for this country's political future. Just waiting for the last round of bluffing before all of the cards are on the table.

[Hortensis]

13. I think if it took only a small event, Nancy would have already have

casted that stern, eventful eye at her nation and waggled a finger to make us back up onto safe ground.

I'd say we're more like an amorphous blob thousands of miles across that takes decades of hard work and many billions of dollars to move, and then wildly unevenly and unpredictably. We could be destroyed quickly, but not without destroying the wealth and power that depend on having and controlling us.

That said, for a few elections now I've worried every time about an event that acted more directly on us, such as a big terrorist act right before the election that would cause a wave of conservative anxiety. W's approval rating shot up to 90% (not me!) after 9/11. And, of course, a cyber or EMP event that could bring a whole city or region, or nation, to our knees scrabbling for survival is something a number of enemy nations could probably arrange.

But that's different from what you're talking about. Cons rampaging around red communities wouldn't be a civil war, or even setting some buildings on fire in cities, nor would they. If it happens, we'll hear about it on the news and it'll be "the latest development" in "our evolving story."

[llmart]

16. Well, his nutjob supporters have been threatening a civil war...

but after last nights two votes I don't see much action in my neighborhood or town or state, and I'm in Michigan, so you'd think the civil war would have started here last night.

However, having seen what his supporters look like, I highly doubt they could organize a car pool to Wal-Mart let alone a civil war.

[lark]

17. Seems like a number of us feel these same concerns.

My family situation is actually really good for the first time in years, because of needed changes finally being made by our son - 9 months straight. So a major source of anxiety is not there now. If not for drumpf/russian repugs I would have little stress in my life. PT is even going well and helping so much. PT and CBD are improving my life.

So, personally, happy, but still feel very anxious - anyway. I feel like drumpf could so easily tip us over into a 21st century version of Nazi Germany if he steals the 2020 election and I worry it will happen if we don't by some miracle get further proof of his treason/crimes before they vote in the Senatae on Impeachment. If we could just get Bolton, but no Bidens - but that's very unlikely unless Roberts' takes control and he's rw too. Sigh.